Low-cost carrier easyJet sees hydrogen as the ultimate solution in the future of aviation for short-haul flights, even Thomas Haagensen, director of easyJet, says so.
easyjJet believes hydrogen is the best way to achieve zero emissions by 2050, despite huge investments in other options such as sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
While SAF can act as a bridge between the present and the future, easyJet is determined to see hydrogen as the ultimate solution to zero CO2 emissions.
"For our business model, the short-haul model, the ultimate goal is net zero emissions and hydrogen technology", Haagensen told EURACTIV. On March 2, 2023, Universal Hydrogen, a startup led by former Airbus CTO Paul Eremenko, announced the completion of the first hydrogen-electric powered flight.
The 8-seat Dash 300-40 is the largest hybrid electric-hydrogen powered aircraft to fly to date, surpassing the previous record held by a hybrid-electric Do228 from ZeroAvia, which made its maiden flight in January 2022.
It is also the second largest aircraft ever to fly on hydrogen, after an experiment carried out by the Soviet Union in the 1980s with a Tupolev Tu-155 aircraft. "Everyone needs to start thinking about future technology and hydrogen as a potential solutionHaagensen said. Aviation should rely on this technology to reach net zero emissions by 2050.