Airbus Summit 2025: Key Innovations in Sustainability and Aviation

1. Adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF): 

Airbus is taking a significant step toward the large-scale adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) by piloting a new "Book and Claim" approach. This initiative seeks to boost both supply and demand for SAF worldwide, offering a flexible and scalable solution to accelerate its adoption.

The first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by SMBC Aviation Capital, followed by AerCap, Comlux, Luxaviation, Novespace, Rive Private Investment, and SAF Aerogroup, who confirmed their interest in joining this collaborative initiative, reinforcing the industry-wide intent to increase SAF adoption.

In simple terms, the book and claim system allows the buyer to "reserve" a certain amount of SAF and "claim" the corresponding emission reduction, even if the fuel is used elsewhere. Through a pilot program running through 2025, Airbus will leverage this system to improve SAF accessibility for potential customers, especially those with limited volumes and those far from supply points.

As a facilitator, Airbus will purchase SAF certificates and manage the associated sustainability attributes through the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) registry, a recognized sustainability certification body. These certificates will then be resold to interested customers, such as aircraft and
helicopter operators, thereby stimulating short-term demand for SAF.

The pilot program is expected to generate key insights into the capacity and robustness of this innovative book and claim mechanism. It will also assess market interest in third-party facilitation of these integrated SAF solutions.

2. Hydrogen aircraft technologies: 

During the Airbus Summit 2025, Airbus presented an updated roadmap for leading the future of commercial aviation in the coming decades, outlining plans for a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as revising its
Project ZEROe plan to mature technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight.

At the event, Airbus reiterated its commitment to bringing a commercially viable hydrogen aircraft to market and presented some of the key technological elements that will enable the arrival of a fully electric, fuel-cell-powered commercial aircraft, a path that is emerging as the most promising after years of research into hydrogen aviation.

Bruno Fichefeux, Head of Future Programs at Airbus, said: “Hydrogen is at the heart of our commitment to decarbonizing aviation. While we have adjusted our roadmap, our dedication to hydrogen-powered flight is unwavering. Just as we have seen in the automotive sector, fully electric aircraft powered by hydrogen fuel cells have the long-term potential to revolutionize air travel for the better, complementing the sustainable aviation fuel pathway.”

These technologies were presented as part of a new theoretical hydrogen aircraft concept powered by four 2-megawatt electric propulsion motors, each driven by a fuel cell system that converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy. The four fuel cell systems will be fueled by two liquid hydrogen tanks. This concept will continue to be refined in the coming years as additional testing helps mature the technologies associated with hydrogen storage and distribution, as well as the propulsion systems.

3. Advances in the next generation of single-aisle aircraft: 

Airbus also presented an updated roadmap for leading the future of commercial aviation in the coming decades. The company presented potential technological building blocks for preparing a next-generation single-aisle aircraft that could enter service in the second half of the 2030s, as well as its updated roadmap for maturing technologies associated with hydrogen-powered flight.

Airbus today previewed details of the key technological components that could enable the entry into service of a next-generation single-aisle aircraft, with an expected 20-30% increase in fuel efficiency compared to the current generation, as well as the ability to fly on up to 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus also unveiled new design concepts for the different configurations being studied for this future aircraft, highlighting the various potential solutions being explored to achieve this significant leap forward in aircraft efficiency and support the aviation sector's roadmap towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Technologies include more efficient engines, with innovative open-fan designs; long, folding wings that enable significant aerodynamic improvements; next-generation batteries to enable hybrid architectures in which electricity is increasingly used to support both propulsion and non-propulsion functions onboard the aircraft; and lightweight materials and integrated systems for a connected aircraft.

4. Alliance between the Airbus Foundation and the Solar Impulse Foundation: 

The Airbus Foundation and the Solar Impulse Foundation announced a three-year partnership aimed at promoting global progress in sustainability by fostering innovation and collaboration. The partnership is dedicated to identifying and accelerating the adoption of scalable nature-based projects* that address pressing
global challenges.

Through this collaboration, the selected candidates will have access to a wealth of resources, including Airbus aerospace capabilities, such as satellite data for Earth observation and helicopters for efficient aerial assessment and verification. These capabilities will enable the selected projects to address critical societal issues, from ecosystem degradation to water security and natural disaster risk, to solutions such as satellite systems for environmental monitoring.

Beginning April 1, the two foundations will actively seek proposals that can leverage aerospace capabilities to advance nature-based solutions. Selected projects will receive $10,859 in seed funding and access to technical expertise to help accelerate their impact.

This partnership aligns with the Airbus Foundation's mission to collaborate with key stakeholders to innovate environmental solutions utilizing the unique capabilities of Airbus technologies. The collaboration will enable communities to better anticipate and adapt to the impacts of climate change by providing access to critical information, cutting-edge tools, and specialized resources.

Source: AIRBUS.