The new Airbus boss Guillaume Faury wants to build aircraft that emit no exhaust fumes. "Our goal is completely emission-free flying," he told the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung". Smaller test models, which fly completely electrically, are only the first step: "If they are operational, we will gradually increase the machines," announced Faury.

Until these electric aircraft could take off, "a few years would pass, but not decades," said the manager. By the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2030, the start of a commercial operation would be conceivable.

The group is also researching hydrogen and artificial kerosene

However, there are still some hurdles according to Faury. For pollutant-free aircraft today's batteries are not strong enough. That's why hydrogen technology, biofuels and synthetic fuels should also be considered.

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Electric and hybrid aircraft: taking off into the future

Climate protection is one of his main concerns, Faury told the newspaper. This would require global aviation agreements - "no regional or local island solutions that are counterproductive," he said, referring to nationally levied flight taxes.

Faury took over the CEO of Airbus from Tom Enders a week and a half ago. Previously, he was the number two in the group.