Airbus has admitted that progress on developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft has been slower than expected.

The European giant has set a goal of producing a zero-emission aircraft within a decade to help the commercial aviation sector meet its commitment to carbon neutrality by mid-century. Airbus did not set a new target date.

According to the FO union, the manufacturer has postponed the date by which it will have a hydrogen-powered aircraft ready by five to ten years, cut the program's budget by 25% and decided to review its approach to decarbonization.

Airbus, however, denies that it has made any changes to its approach to decarbonization.

"Our ambition and roadmap for the decarbonization of the sector remain unchanged," an Airbus spokesman told AFP.

The company will adjust its hydrogen projects “depending on the development of the ecosystem and technologies,” he said.

In September 2020, Airbus unveiled three hydrogen-fueled concept aircraft, dubbed ZEROe. Other major players in the industry have turned to renewable or synthetic fuels, or electric aircraft for short-haul aircraft. | BGNES