Hydrogen-Powered Aviation: Status and Perspectives

Hydrogen is emerging as a leading candidate for decarbonizing the aviation sector, offering pathways through both fuel cell-electric propulsion and direct combustion in modified gas turbine engines. This review synthesizes current literature and industrial developments focused on the integration of hydrogen technologies in aviation. Realizing hydrogen-powered flight at scale will require coordinated advances across multiple domains: low-carbon hydrogen production, airport infrastructure adaptation, safe and efficient storage and distribution systems, and aircraft redesign to accommodate new propulsion architectures. Progress in hydrogen combustion and fuel cell systems will be critical to achieving the necessary performance, efficiency, and emissions targets. Addressing these interrelated challenges will be central to enabling a viable and sustainable transition toward hydrogen-fueled aviation.