Can Airbus and CFM International Pioneer Hydrogen Flight by the Mid-2030s?

January 12, 2026 at 12:47 PM•3 min read

Airbus and CFM International partner to test a direct combustion hydrogen engine on an A380 testbed, advancing zero-emission aircraft technology despite commercial launch delays.

Key Points

1Airbus and CFM International are testing a modified GE Passport turbofan for direct hydrogen combustion on an A380 flying testbed (MSN1).
2The demonstration program targets its first flight by the end of 2026, gathering data on hydrogen's unique combustion challenges.
3Airbus has postponed the entry-into-service of its ZEROe hydrogen commercial aircraft from the mid-2030s, citing slow progress in technology and infrastructure development.

Airbus and CFM International have announced a major partnership. They will collaborate on a hydrogen demonstration program. The goal is to test direct combustion hydrogen engine technology in flight. This is a crucial step toward zero-emission aircraft technology.

The A380 Flying Testbed

The demonstration will use an Airbus A380 flying testbed. This specific aircraft is the MSN1 airframe. It was previously used for A380 certification flights. CFM International will modify a GE Passport turbofan engine. This engine will be adapted to run on liquid hydrogen. The modified engine will be mounted on the rear fuselage of the A380. This placement allows engineers to monitor emissions separately. The testbed will carry four hermetically-sealed liquid hydrogen tanks. These tanks will hold 400 kilograms of fuel. The first flight of this demonstrator is targeted for the end of 2026.

Technology and Challenges

CFM is responsible for modifying the combustor and fuel system. The system must handle the unique properties of hydrogen. Hydrogen burns approximately ten times faster than jet fuel. It also burns at a much higher temperature. Engineers must address the formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. They must also ensure the flame is stable within the combustor. This work is a key part of the CFM International hydrogen engine development.

Airbus is defining the hydrogen propulsion system requirements. They will also oversee the flight testing. The overall program is part of the Airbus 'ZEROe' initiative. This program is central to the decarbonization of aviation efforts.

Industry Impact and Commercial Timeline

This partnership is a significant move for the future of commercial flight. It aligns with the industry's Aviation net zero commitment by 2050. The original ambition was to achieve a mid-2030s market goal for a hydrogen-powered aircraft.

Timeline Recalibration: Recent reports indicate a delay in the commercial launch. The necessary technology is lagging behind the original 2035 target. The launch of a hydrogen-powered airliner may be pushed into the 2040s.
Ecosystem Hurdles: The delay is due to the slow development of the hydrogen ecosystem. This includes infrastructure, production, and regulatory frameworks. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the need for global collaboration. Regulatory bodies like EASA must also create new standards.

Despite the commercial delay, the flight test program remains critical. It will provide vital data on direct combustion hydrogen in a real-world setting. The industry continues to rely heavily on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the near term. However, the long-term vision for zero-emission flight depends on breakthroughs like the A380 hydrogen testbed program. Stay updated on this and other commercial aviation news at flying.flights.