Airbus, MTU Aero Engines announce hydrogen fuel cell for aviation agreement

Summary points:

• Hydrogen Propulsion Collaboration: Airbus and MTU Aero Engines signed an MoU at the Paris Air Show to jointly develop hydrogen fuel cell propulsion systems for future aircraft, building on Airbus' ZEROe initiative and MTU’s Flying Fuel Cell concept.

• Three-Phase Development Plan: The partnership includes joint research, alignment of hydrogen technology roadmaps, and potential full-scale development of a fuel cell propulsion system, with support from Europe’s Clean Aviation program and MTU’s ongoing HEROPS project.

• Commitment to Emissions-Free Flight: Both companies emphasized their commitment to zero-emission aviation, citing advances in prototype testing and a shared goal to mature electric fuel cell technologies and integrate them into future hydrogen-powered aircraft.

PARIS - European aviation giant Airbus and MTU Aero Engines in Munich have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) related to the development of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion for aviation. The MoU was signed at the Paris Air Show.

The collaboration builds on Airbus' ZEROe initiative, which focuses on hydrogen-powered flight, and MTU's Flying Fuel Cell concept. Under the agreement, the two companies will follow a three-step development roadmap. Initial efforts will mature key technologies through joint research, including participation in Europe’s Clean Aviation program. The next phase will align both firms' hydrogen research and technology plans, potentially leading to full-scale development of a fuel cell propulsion system.

"Our focus on fully electric fuel cell propulsion technology for future hydrogen-powered aircraft underscores our confidence and progress in this domain," said Bruno Fichefeux, head of future programs at Airbus. "Collaborating with MTU... will allow us to pool our collective knowledge, accelerate the maturation of critical technologies, and ultimately deliver a revolutionary hydrogen-powered propulsion system."

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Dr. Stefan Weber, senior vice president of engineering and technology at MTU Aero Engines, added: "We are driven by the vision of a revolutionary propulsion concept that allows virtually emissions-free flight... Partnering with Airbus opens up the possibility to jointly address both technology maturity and platform integration."

MTU is currently leading the Clean Aviation HEROPS (Hydrogen-Electric Zero Emission Propulsion System) project, launched in early 2024, and has recently advanced its demonstrator work in Munich.

Airbus announced in March 2025 that it would prioritize the development of fully electric fuel cell systems based on encouraging prototype testing. The company continues to support the development of hydrogen aviation infrastructure and regulatory frameworks essential for widespread adoption.