Airbus is putting the brakes on its zero-emission hydrogen-powered aircraft project, on account of technical challenges and slower adoption of the technology, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The company, which previously targeted to launch the aircraft by 2035, spent more than $1.7B on the project, sources told WSJ. Airbus has since cut the project's budget by a quarter and reallocated staff, pushing its timeline by as much as a decade.
Project challenges include reconfiguring engines to run on a different fuel, storing hydrogen in liquid form at -423°F, and requiring a new supply chain for the fuel. Airbus has been exploring using fuel cells, but the additional weight and limited electricity generation would lead to fewer seats and a narrower range for the aircraft.
The company said delaying the project would give it more time to fine-tune the technology. "Our destination is not changing," said Bruno Fichefeux, its head of future programs. "To get there, we need to adjust to reality."
In an earnings call in February, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said pushing the project's timeline would provide time to further develop the performance of fuel cell propulsion and liquid hydrogen system technologies.
Many companies have been scaling back their green initiatives, and broader enthusiasm for hydrogen is fading. Oil giant BP, which is pivoting back to fossil fuels, and Finland's Neste recently pulled plans for new hydrogen plants.
Subscribe to the newsletter
Daily decarbonization data and news delivered to your inbox
Follow the money flow of climate, technology, and energy investments to uncover new opportunities and jobs.
Companies
Latest issues
-
Can Koloma Crack Iowa's Billion-Year-Old Secret?
Inside This Issue ⛏️ Iowa's Hydrogen Rush: Can Koloma Strike Gold Before Rules Kick In? ✈️ Bentley Commits to Use 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel for Car Airfreight 🌬️ Minister Parrott Provides Upd...
-
$47M Just Poured Into This SAF Producer
Inside This Issue 💰 LanzaJet Announces $47M in New Capital and First Close of Equity Round at $650M Pre-Money Valuation 🚢 Maersk's Ethanol Bet Could Reshape U.S. Fuel Markets 🪨 Canada Nickel and t...
-
Kita's $29M Bet Signals Carbon Insurance Is Here
Inside This Issue 🛡️ Kita's $29M Bet Signals Carbon Insurance Is Here 🏗️ CCI BioEnergy Selects Arcadis As Design-Engineer Partner Under Master Service Agreement 🤝 Tapestry and Climeworks Announce ...
Company Announcements
-
Climeworks Establishes Canadian Headquarters in Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, February 20, 2026 — Climeworks, a global leader in commercial carbon removal, has established its Canadian headquarters at Calgary’s ETC, one of Alberta’s leading hubs where start...
-
MIAMI, Feb. 24, 2026 /CNW/ - Power Sustainable Infrastructure Credit ("PSIC") recently closed an $85M senior secured financing for Sagepoint Energy ("Sagepoint"), a vertically integrated renewable ...
-
HALIFAX, NS, Feb. 24, 2026 /CNW/ - The Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) is celebrating a significant advancement in climate action and watershed restoration as Royal Bank of Canada purchases a...
-
Honeywell International: Process Technology to Help Verso Energy Accelerate eSAF Production
CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 24, 2026 - Honeywell today announced that Verso Energy, an integrated energy company focused on producing low-carbon molecules, will use Honeywell UOP's eFiningTM methanol-to-...