The 4th revolution in aeronautics is that of decarbonization, with a strong contribution from green hydrogen, said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on Monday in Toulouse.
“After mastering flight, ensuring safety, and making air travel accessible to millions of people, the next revolution is decarbonization,” Mr. Faury stated during the 3rd edition of the Airbus Summit held on March 24 and 25.
According to him, the need to decarbonize the aviation sector is not just a challenge but a golden opportunity to redefine the future of the industry.
He continued: “In this regard, Airbus is contributing with revolutionary advances in innovative technologies to make aviation more sustainable, more economical, and more efficient for future generations.”
Mr. Faury also emphasized that artificial intelligence has rapidly shaped the future of aeronautics, noting that it must be harnessed responsibly and ethically to maximize its potential.
For her part, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer and Communications Julie Kitcher estimated that to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the aviation sector will need to initiate a rapid transition.
“At a time when aviation would only account for 2 to 3% of CO2 emissions, the sector has already begun a decarbonization process,” Ms. Kitcher pointed out, highlighting the importance of holding this summit for greater collaboration with various partners.
The summit also provided an opportunity for Bertrand Piccard, initiator and president of the Solar Impulse Foundation, to present the “Climate Impulse” project, which aims to achieve a non-stop, emission-free round-the-world flight by 2028 aboard a green hydrogen aircraft.
The development of the aircraft began in 2022, including research, feasibility studies, and design with the support of major industry names, Mr. Piccard recalled.
Since 2024, with the arrival of Syensqo as the first main partner, the development and construction of the aircraft continue within the company 49SUD, which is led by Raphaël Dinelli, engineer and co-pilot of Climate Impulse alongside Mr. Piccard.
This summit aims to showcase how aviation is meeting the decarbonization challenge through new technologies. To this end, Airbus is committed to shaping the future of aeronautics through innovative designs, cutting-edge technologies, and innovative engineering, through cooperation and collaboration with stakeholders to enable the industry to achieve its decarbonization goals.
Alongside the summit, the latest innovations in the sector are on display, ranging from airplanes and helicopters to models of propulsion systems and hydrogen fuel cells.