In addition to the industrial-scale production of sustainable fuel, so eagerly awaited by airlines, the decarbonisation of air transport also involves providing airlines with more fuel-efficient aircraft. And Airbus is playing a key role here a key role in the sector's development aviation towards zero net emissions by 2050. The third Airbus Summit, which is being held these days in Toulouse, gave the European aircraft manufacturer the opportunity to give details of these ongoing projects.
A new-generation single-aisle aircraft could enter service in the second half of the next decade. Like the new aircraft of the current generation, this model promises increased fuel efficiency of 20 to 30 %. It will also be able to fly on up to 100 % of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). "We have the most advanced portfolio of aircraft on the market and the most advanced technology.A321XLR is at the cutting edge of technology for today's single-aisle aircraftsaid Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Programmes at Airbus. Now we're taking the best of what we've done and making the most of it. we're preparing another leap forward to make our single-aisle aircraft even better and revolutionise the future of flying, when the time comes" .
Based on lighter but more resistant materials, this aircraft will be based on more aerodynamic wings for greater lift and, consequently, lower fuel consumption, of the order of 20 %, than current models. Without revealing all the technical secrets, Airbus has mentioned the idea of a folding wing which, as well as giving the aircraft a longer wingspan, would also reduce drag.
Next-generation single-aisle aircraft - (c) Airbus SAS 2025
As for the engine, Airbus is exploring the potential of the RISE concept developed by CFM, a joint venture between Safran and General Electric. To find out more an open fan motorThe blades are not contained in a nacelle like today's turbofan engines, but are left in the open air for better circulation through the engine. Again, this technology could reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 20 % compared with today's most efficient engines. The engine should be flight-tested by the end of the decade.
At the same time, in the same way as hybrid cars, Airbus is also working on combining energy sources, advancing hybrid-electric propulsion, which would supplement the use of fuel with electricity to power non-propulsive functions.
Hydrogen postponed but still on the agenda
But what about the hydrogen-powered aircraft, announced for 2035? Airbus certainly has a revised roadmap, and its ambitions are further away, while the technologies mature. But the ZEROe project is still going strongAirbus has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing a viable hydrogen-powered aircraft to market. " Although we have adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight remains unwavering." said Bruno Fichefeux.
After years of research, Airbus is moving towards fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cellswhich is considered to be the most promising way forward, able to " revolutionising air transport for the better, complementing the move towards sustainable aviation fuels" according to the head of future programmes at Airbus.
In effect, the new hydrogen aircraft concept would be supported by four electric propulsion motors, each powered by a fuel cell system supplied by tanks of liquid hydrogen. A concept that will continue to be refined over the next few years, as and when improving storage and distribution technologies hydrogen. " Over the past five years, we have explored several propulsion concepts before selecting this all-electric concept.explained Glenn Llewellyn, head of the ZEROe project. We are convinced that it could provide the power density required for a commercial aircraft."
Reduce condensation trails
But the impact of air transport on the environment is not always the same. emissions is not limited to CO2. Condensation trails - those white lines left in the sky - have almost as much to do with global warming. This phenomenon is essentially specific to the northern hemisphere and to the winter period, when the air surrounding the reactors is cold and damp.
According to a study by the Transport and Environment think-tank, a small minority of flights (3 %) generate 80 % of warming due to these trails. Nothing to sneeze at, however, and that's why Airbus is also planning to do something about it. advance research into reducing condensation trails by leading the PACIFIC project (Particulate Emissions, Air Quality and Climate Impact Linked to Fuel Composition and the Engine Cycle). Funded by the European Union, this project brings together 11 partners, including Rolls-Royce, the Finnish sustainable fuel producer Neste and several universities, and will explore ways of minimising non-CO2 emissions.
Running from January 2025 to June 2028, its aim is to improve modelling and prediction capabilities to better assess contrail formation, in particular by examining fuel composition and the engine cycle on particle emissions. Airbus points out that recent studies suggest that the use of SAF could reduce both soot particles and ice crystals in contrails. Through a a better understanding of this phenomenonThese results will support future fuel specifications and policy recommendations aimed at minimising the environmental footprint of aviation. " Tackling aviation's non-CO2 emissions is crucial in our quest for truly sustainable flights" said Sabine Klauke, Airbus Technical Director.
