An Airbus A380
Airbus to test hydrogen engine on biggest passenger jet
Modified A380 to start tests flights in around 2025 with liquid hydrogen-fuelled engine mounted on rear fuselage
European aerospace company Airbus has launched a project to demonstrate a hydrogen-fuelled engine mounted onto a modified version of its A380 model, the world’s largest passenger plane. Test flights are scheduled to start in around 2025 with the ultimate aim of commercial use of a zero-emission plane by 2035. Airbus has signed a partnership agreement with US-based engine maker CFM International —a 50/50 joint company between US multinational GE and engine manufacturer Safran Aircraft Engines—to develop the project. “By leveraging the expertise of American and European engine manufacturers to make progress on hydrogen combustion technology, this international partnership sends a clear message
Also in this section
10 December 2025
Project developer Meld Energy ready to accelerate 100MW project in Humber region after securing investment from energy transition arm of private equity firm Schroders Capital
9 December 2025
BP and Engie abandon large-scale green hydrogen projects in Gulf state as developers in all regions continue to struggle with lack of firm offtake
5 December 2025
European Commission highlights rapid growth of Chinese production this year, as it retains strict procurement rules in latest European Hydrogen Bank subsidy auction
2 December 2025
Oil major cites deteriorating demand and a planning debacle as it abandons one of UK’s largest blue hydrogen projects
