The aviation industry is set to become more environmentally friendly as Boeing and Airbus have announced they are working together on fuel cell technology for use in auxiliary power units (APUs).

The pair made their plans known after the industry was slammed last week for not doing enough to cut emissions at the Aviation and the Environment summit, Geneva.

Philippe Jarry, senior vice-president of product policy at Airbus, said: "It’s our social responsibility and it’s up to us to do it now."

It is expected that Airbus’ fuel cells, which were developed together with GE Motors, will be flight tested by Airbus on an A320 by the middle of next year.

Meanwhile, Boeing plans to test its environmentally friendly fuel cells on a 440kW demonstrator airplane towards the end of 2006.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd