The Future of Hydrogen‐Powered Aviation: Technologies, Challenges, and a Strategic Roadmap for Sustainable Decarbonization

The aviation industry is a major source of greenhouse‐gas emissions and faces urgent pressure to transition to sustainable energy solutions. In this context, hydrogen energy emerges as a promising alternative to conventional jet fuels, offering the potential for zero in‐flight CO 2 emissions. This paper critically reviews hydrogen's role in aviation, covering production methods, propulsion technologies (fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines), and cryogenic‐storage systems. Key challenges are identified, including infrastructure development, storage complexity, safety, regulatory barriers, and economic viability. Notably, adopting liquid hydrogen is projected to increase direct operating costs by 10%–70% for short‐range and 15%–102% for medium‐range flights, mainly due to storage and supply‐chain demands. Moreover, persistent issues such as contrail formation and NO X emissions require further attention. Despite these hurdles, hydrogen offers promising decarbonization potential through diverse propulsion pathways, including direct combustion, fuel‐cell systems, and hybrid configurations. The paper proposes a phased integration roadmap: near‐term adoption in regional aircraft, mid‐term retrofitting of existing fleets, and long‐term sector‐wide decarbonization by 2050. Coordinated policy, sustained investment, and industry‐wide collaboration are essential to overcome barriers and accelerate aviation's clean energy transition.