Airbus does not want to risk producing a “Concorde of hydrogen”, its chief executive said, just weeks after the world's largest plane maker delayed plans to develop a hydrogen-powered aircraft by 2035.
The lack of a hydrogen ecosystem and commercial viability at scale were the main reasons cited by Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury for the company's decision to postpone the plans. He did not provide a new timeline.
“We have concluded positively on the feasibility of a commercial airliner powered by hydrogen … but with today's conditions, it would not be a competitive aircraft compared to other ones and, compared to other forms of fuel,” he said at the Airbus Summit in Toulouse.
Other challenges include a lack of regulatory framework to certify a hydrogen-powered aircraft and the fact that the “availability of decarbonised hydrogen at scale, at the airport, at the right price is not around the corner”, he added.
We have come to the conclusion that we would be wrong to be right too early. The timing is not right
Guillaume Faury,
Airbus chief executive
While the time is not right for such a plane, Airbus is “absolutely convinced” that hydrogen is the energy for the future of aviation but more work is needed to produce hydrogen at scale and contribute to the industry's decarbonisation efforts.
“We have come to the conclusion that we would be wrong to be right too early. The timing is not right,” Mr Faury said.
The plane maker is instead “refocusing” on new technologies that must be developed before the hydrogen plane can become commercially competitive when it comes to market, he added.
In February, Airbus said it is pushing back plans for the hydrogen-powered passenger aircraft by the mid-2030s, pointing to “huge” technological and infrastructure challenges. The Airbus project was a major pillar in the industry's efforts to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Aviation accounts for just 2 per cent to 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions but it is one of the hardest industries to decarbonise due to technical and infrastructure challenges, safety requirements that slow major aircraft design changes and the long lifespans of aircraft that airlines already have in their fleet.
Decarbonising aviation depends on use of sustainable aviation fuels in existing planes, developing new technology for future aircraft designs and more efficient air traffic management systems.
Net zero by 2050 target at risk
The global aviation industry could miss its target of net-zero emissions by 2050, Airbus boss said at the annual event.
The goal remains reachable and the industry needs to “stay on course”, but it is not a “walk in the park” as progress on sustainable aviation fuels remains “too slow”, Mr Faury said.
“I don't think we are wrong to continue to pursue net zero by 2050. Probably the way it's going to be achieved will be different,” he said.
“Maybe it's going to take a bit more time but let's not be shy in the ambition. Let's keep focus on it. There's still so much to happen, we have not yet understood all the possibilities, all the technologies, all the solutions that will be found.”
The plane-maker's next single-aisle aircraft will be “evolutionary” not “revolutionary”, but this could include an open-rotor engine such as that being considered by engine-maker CFM, he said.
“There will be a significant step forward with the next generation of planes and we're looking at technologies that will make a significant difference,” he said.
Non-stop nine-day around the world trip
Bertrand Piccard, chairman of the Solar Impulse Foundation, shared the stage with Mr Faury and highlighted the Climate Impulse project, which is developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft with twin fuselages.
The Swiss adventurer, 66, who led the flight of an electric plane powered by sunlight, is now aiming higher – towards greener commercial flight – with plans for a 100-seater passenger plane powered by super-cold liquid hydrogen.
Under the Climate Impulse project, a green hydrogen-powered aeroplane will be designed for non-stop, nine-day, zero-emission circumvention of the globe in 2028
Mr Piccard outlined a future scenario where parabolic suborbital flights can connect Toulouse with Sydney in two hours.
“My job [with Climate Impulse] will stop in 2028 because you need pioneers in the beginning to open the way, but in 2028 your job will start to make it happen on a commercial level,” Mr Piccard told a roomful of Airbus executives.
Climate Impulse counts among its backers Airbus and science incubator Syensqo as well as Morocco's non-profit private research institution University Mohammed VI Polytechnic (UM6P) and Moroccan phosphate and fertiliser giant OCP group.
“Morocco has become a main partner” for Climate Impulse, Mr Piccard said. “OCP, a state industry wants to diversify into hydrogen, while UM6P wants to use Climate Impulse as a disrupter in technology for educating their students,” he said.
“Morocco is the door open for Africa for education and technology.”
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
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BIRD%20BOX%20BARCELONA
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The biog
Favourite books: 'Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Life' by Jane D. Mathews and ‘The Moment of Lift’ by Melinda Gates
Favourite travel destination: Greece, a blend of ancient history and captivating nature. It always has given me a sense of joy, endless possibilities, positive energy and wonderful people that make you feel at home.
Favourite pastime: travelling and experiencing different cultures across the globe.
Favourite quote: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders” - Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook.
Favourite Movie: Mona Lisa Smile
Favourite Author: Kahlil Gibran
Favourite Artist: Meryl Streep
The years Ramadan fell in May
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
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The years Ramadan fell in May
More on animal trafficking
ABU%20DHABI'S%20KEY%20TOURISM%20GOALS%3A%20BY%20THE%20NUMBERS
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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Results
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Heavily-sugared soft drinks slip through the tax net
Some popular drinks with high levels of sugar and caffeine have slipped through the fizz drink tax loophole, as they are not carbonated or classed as an energy drink.
Arizona Iced Tea with lemon is one of those beverages, with one 240 millilitre serving offering up 23 grams of sugar - about six teaspoons.
A 680ml can of Arizona Iced Tea costs just Dh6.
Most sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, five teaspoons of sugar in a 500ml bottle.
The five pillars of Islam
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: 4 liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous electric motors placed at each wheel
Battery: Rimac 120kWh Lithium Nickel Manganese Cobalt Oxide (LiNiMnCoO2) chemistry
Power: 1877bhp
Torque: 2300Nm
Price: Dh7,500,00
On sale: Now
The five pillars of Islam
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
