Airbus CEO: Aviation Net Zero by 2050 Goals May Be at Risk

Manufacturer recently delayed plans to build hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft and eVTOL air taxis.

Jack Daleo

Monday, March 24, 2025 at 04:21 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

A digital rendering depicts one of Airbus’ ZeroE concept aircraft flying over Houston. [Courtesy: Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury admitted that the global aviation industry's 2050 net-zero carbon emissions goal is at risk and may take longer to achieve.
Airbus has scaled back its ambitious hydrogen-powered aircraft program (ZeroE), delaying commercial flight timelines due to the current lack of regulatory frameworks and clean hydrogen production infrastructure.
Despite these setbacks and a shifting industry perspective on hydrogen's immediate commercial viability, Airbus reaffirms its commitment to sustainability, recognizing climate change as both a financial and business risk.

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Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury on Monday admitted that the global aviation industry’s goal of eliminating carbon emissions by 2050 may be in jeopardy, Bloomberg News reported.

“I don’t think we are wrong to pursue net zero by 2050,” Faury said during the third annual Airbus Summit, a sustainability-focused event at the company’s headquarters in Toulouse, France. “Maybe it’s going to take a bit more time, but let’s not be shy in the ambition.”