Four concepts are being tested at Airbus to determine the solution that will be adopted in order to decarbonize air transport. The Toulouse region is also home to several start-ups committed to this new path.
Since the end of 2020, Airbus has been working on several aircraft concepts with hydrogen as the main energy source, “ZEROe” aircraft for zero emissions. There is a turbojet, close in design to an A320, two turboprops that look like ATR 72s and finally a flying wing equipped with eight small engines.
First tests in 2026
Airbus intends to choose one of its four concepts by 2027-2028. Its entry into service is expected by 2035. Even if no decision has yet been taken, it seems, in view of the fuel cell engine which was presented at the end of November at the Airbus summit, that it is one turboprops which is best placed. The 100-seat aircraft would be equipped with six hydrogen-powered engines and would have a range of 1,800 km. Airbus is due to begin flight testing of this new propulsion system on an A380 in 2026.
Electric aircraft projects
On the aeronautical start-up side, projects are multiplying in Toulouse. We can cite Blue Spirit Aero, which is working on a small electric plane powered by hydrogen fuel cells. With a capacity of 4 places, its Dragonfly must, thanks to its twelve small propeller engines, be able to travel 700 km. First test flight expected in 2024.
In the same line, the young company Beyond Aero wishes to develop a small electric business plane. Equipped with hydrogen propulsion, it would have a capacity of eight passengers and a range of 1,600 km. A first two-seater demonstrator must see the light of day before the largest version is launched.
Targeted regional transport
The Toulouse start-up Aura Aero is working on a hybrid electric regional transport aircraft. Called ERA, this aircraft equipped with six propeller engines will have a range limited to 400 km but will be able to carry 19 passengers. It is due to make its first flight in 2024. To date, the company has registered more than 300 purchase intentions.
Finally, there is ATEA, the small vertical take-off and landing aircraft from Ascendance Flight Technologies. With a capacity of five seats, it will be equipped with a hybrid electric motor system developing 800 kW of power. First test flight scheduled for 2023 at Muret aerodrome. With all these projects underway, Toulouse is undeniably becoming a hotspot for green aircraft.
Hydrogen reservoir capsules tested in Toulouse in 2024
Hydrogen is also the concern of an American start-up, Universal Hydrogen. Established in Toulouse since last summer, the company is developing a conversion kit which should allow aircraft running on kerosene today to fly on hydrogen tomorrow. This kit includes a fuel cell electric powertrain and hydrogen-charged tank capsules. Main advantage of these capsules, they are interchangeable. In other words, during a rotation you can easily and quickly replace those that are empty with full ones. To test this system in real conditions, two aircraft are being modified, a Bombardier Q300 and an ATR 72. The first should make its first test flight in the next few weeks in the United States, the second in 2024 from Blagnac .