Delta Air Lines, Airbus inks MoU for developing H2-fuelled aircraft
Delta Air Lines has announced that it is co-operating with Airbus to develop a hydrogen-powered aircraft and an ecosystem to support it.
The companies signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MoU) for Delta to become the first US-based airline to work with Airbus on the research and development of such an aircraft as part of Delta's Flight to Net Zero plan.
Delta has earlier been involved in decarbonizing aviation through its collaboration with Chevron and Google to test the emissions from sustainable aviation fuel.
"To pull the future of sustainable aviation forward, we need to accelerate the development and commercialization of potentially disruptive technologies," stated Delta's chief sustainability officer Pam Fletcher.
"Hydrogen fuel is an exciting concept that has the potential to redefine the status quo. These tangible steps lay the groundwork for the next generation of aviation."
Delta's contribution will focus on exploring the technical and economic viability of hydrogen-fuelled aircraft; assessing the infrastructure needed to develop and scale green hydrogen at airports around the country and advocating for pathways to hydrogen production for the aviation sector.
"To decarbonize aviation, we need to develop the right technology bricks and a dynamic hydrogen ecosystem," said Airbus executive vice president Julie Kitcher.
"Through close collaboration with key partners, such as Delta, we will integrate our customers' expertise and specific needs to ensure our zero-emission aircraft will be a game-changer for sustainable aerospace."
