Fly without emitting polluting emissions by 2050. This is the commitment made by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (Iata).
To achieve this, the use of green hydrogen constitutes the most promising route.
But it will take time for the technologies to mature and de-risk, first on modest-sized devices.
Airbus often reiterates its commitment, made in 2020, to put the first hydrogen plane into service in the world in 2035. But it will be a device with a capacity and a range equivalent, at best, to those of a small regional jet (50 to 70 passengers).
And not an A320neo type aircraft.
This is why the aeronautics industry is exploring another path: sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), not derived from fossil fuels.
They are immediately available, suitable for aircraft already in service, but still three to five times more expensive than kerosene, because they are produced in small quantities.
For…
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