b'Partner News Winter 2020 31CorporateSky-high innovation from Airbus: The worlds first zero-emission commercial aircraft Airbus has revealed three concepts forThe three concepts, all codenamed the worlds first zero-emission commercialZEROe, for a first climate neutral zero-aircraft, which could enter service by 2035.emission commercial aircraft include: These concepts each represent a different approach to achieving zero-emission flight,A turbofan design (120-200 passengers) exploring various technology pathwayswith a range of 2,000+ nautical miles, and aerodynamic configurations in order tocapable of operating transcontinentally support the companys ambition of leadingand powered by a modified gas-turbine the way in the decarbonisation of theengine running on hydrogen, rather than entire aviation industry. jet fuel, through combustion. The liquidcommercial aircraft, which we aim to put hydrogen will be stored and distributedinto service by 2035, said Guillaume Faury. A bold vision for the future via tanks located behind the rearThe transition to hydrogen, as the primary All these concepts rely on hydrogen aspressure bulkhead.power source for these concept planes, a primary power source; an option whichA turboprop design (up to 100will require decisive action from the entire Airbus believes holds exceptional promisepassengers) using a turboprop engineaviation ecosystem. Together with the as a clean aviation fuel and is likely to beinstead of a turbofan and also poweredsupport from government and industrial a solution for aerospace and many otherby hydrogen combustion in modifiedpartners we can rise up to this challenge to industries to meet their climate-neutralgas-turbine engines, which would bescale-up renewable energy and hydrogen targets. capable of traveling more than 1,000for the sustainable future of the aviation nautical miles, making it a perfectindustry.This is a historic moment for theoption for short-haul trips.commercial aviation sector as a wholeA blended-wing body design (up toIn order to tackle these challenges, and we intend to play a leading role in the200 passengers) concept in which theairports will require significant hydrogen most important transition this industry haswings merge with the main body of thetransport and refuelling infrastructure to ever seen. The concepts we unveil todayaircraft with a range similar to that ofmeet the needs of day-to-day operations. offer the world a glimpse of our ambitionthe turbofan concept. The exceptionallySupport from governments will be key to drive a bold vision for the future ofwide fuselage opens up multiple optionsto meet these ambitious objectives zero-emission flight, said Guillaume Faury,for hydrogen storage and distribution,with increased funding for research and Airbus CEO. I strongly believe that the useand for cabin layout.technology, digitalisation, and mechanisms of hydrogenboth in synthetic fuels andthat encourage the use of sustainable fuels as a primary power source for commercialThese concepts will help us exploreand the renewal of aircraft fleets to allow aircrafthas the potential to significantlyand mature the design and layout of theairlines to retire older, less environmentally-reduce aviations climate impact. worlds first climate-neutral, zero-emissionfriendly aircraft earlier.'