As part of the drive towards net-zero carbon-emissions air travel, Delta Air Lines (Delta) and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) whereby, as part of its Flight to Net ZeroSM plan to scale and advance sustainable technologies, Delta will become the first US carrier to work with Airbus on research and development in the field of hydrogen-powered aircraft together with its associated ecosystem.
Delta will be responsible for identifying fleet and network expectations together with the operational and infrastructure requirements needed to develop commercial aircrafts powered by hydrogen fuel. In particular Delta will focus on exploring the technical and economic viability of hydrogen-fuelled aircraft and assessing the infrastructure that will be needed to develop green hydrogen, bringing it to scale and implementing at airports nationwide.
“To decarbonise aviation, we need to develop the right technology bricks and a dynamic hydrogen eco-system,” said Julie Kitcher, Airbus E.V.P. Communications & Corporate Affairs. “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.”
The MoU builds on Delta's recent investment through its pension plans in TPG Rise Climate fund, which focuses on supporting climate solutions at scale. Delta has also joined the First Movers Coalition, a public-private partnership and platform designed to accelerate and scale the development of breakthrough climate technologies.
