Airbus engineers are preparing to develop a new aircraft for the second half of the decade, focusing on increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions through innovative technologies like open-fan engines, folding wings, and automatic taxiing. Although plans for a hydrogen-powered model have been shelved due to concerns over viability, CEO Guillaume Faury emphasized the importance of clean-sheet designs. The company foresees intense competition with Boeing for the next-generation aircraft market, promoting a significant shift in aviation standards regarding efficiency and environmental responsibility.
While today's engines have a bypass ratio of up to 12:1, Ali said current designs for an open-fan engine would improve that to 60.
He said the hydrogen-powered plane was canceled as it risked being "a Concorde of hydrogen" and not commercially viable at scale.
CEO Guillaume Faury told reporters it was developing a new single-aisle aircraft to succeed its A320 family and enter service in the second half of the 2030s.
He also predicted a "gloves-off" competition to build a next-generation airplane with Airbus' US rival Boeing.
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