The hydrogen energy serves as the best energy source for future aircraft owing to its efficiency, cleanness, and sustainability. In the context of widespread attention paid to aviation carbon reduction and the trend of low-carbon development of the aviation transportation industry, it is of great value to promote the development and application of hydrogen-powered aircraft. This study analyzes the development background of hydrogen-powered aircraft considering the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals for the aviation industry, and reviews the cutting-edge planning of hydrogen-powered aircraft in other countries as well as the latest progress in overall research and flight testing of hydrogen-powered aircraft in China. A detailed analysis is conducted on the key technology system for the development and application of hydrogen-powered aircraft, covering the overall design, liquid hydrogen storage tanks, hydrogen fuel cells, hydrogen-fueled turbine engines, hydrogen-fueled aviation internal combustion engines, safety and airworthiness technologies, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Focusing on the industrial application needs of future hydrogen powered aircraft, corresponding total cost of ownership (TCO) models are constructed for commuting/short-range hydrogen-powered aircraft. The calculation results indicate that the TCO of commuting/short-range hydrogen-powered aircraft will be on par with that of pure electric aircraft and fuel-powered aircraft around 2045. Further suggestions are proposed, including adhering to the synchronous development of multiple technological routes, prioritizing the development of power systems,conducting scientific and orderly research and development, and promoting the construction of airworthiness standards systems, thus to provide a basic reference for research on aviation technology innovation and high-quality development of the aviation transportation industry.

The carbon peaking and carbon neutralization goals have brought significant pressure and challenges to China’s civil aviation industry. Research on carbon reduction strategies for the industry has attracted great attention from China and abroad. This study summarizes the development status of and requirements for the low-carbon development of the global aviation industry (particularly commercial aircrafts), analyzes the carbon reduction status and problems of China’s civil aviation industry, and proposes corresponding development goals and basic ideas. Through industrial planning, product innovation, low-carbon energy utilization, and airline operation, carbon neutralization of China’s civil aviation industry is expected to be achieved by 2060, thus to form a green and low-carbon development pattern. Technological innovation is the key driving force for promoting the low-carbon transformation of the civil aviation industry. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions: planning the development and key technology research of low-carbon commercial aircrafts, accelerating the commercial application of sustainable aviation fuels, and developing intelligent aviation to promote low-carbon operations.

In the context of global joint response to climate change, the air transport industry faces great pressure on carbon emission reduction. Carbon reduction in design and manufacturing of civil aircraft products is the core approach to realizing net zero emission in the aviation industry. Conducting research on green and low-carbon development of the aviation manufacturing industry is crucial for the carbon peaking and carbon neutralization of China’s air transport industry. This study analyzes the demand for low-carbon development from three aspects: satisfying the future mandatory standards for carbon emissions, developing new energy technologies, and promoting sustainable development of the aviation industry. The current status of design, material application, and manufacturing of civil aircraft products in China and abroad is investigated. Major problems faced by the industry is examined. This study focuses on improving the environmental protection competitiveness of civil aircraft products and reducing energy consumption during manufacturing, and proposes the carbon reduction potentials and staged goals for major technologies in the aviation manufacturing industry. The development routes are proposed from three technical aspects: green design, materials, and manufacturing of aircrafts. Furthermore, regulatory measures are proposed from the aspects of top-level planning, advanced technology research and development, industrial chain coordination, and carbon compensation and trading.

Civil aero-engine is the scientific and technological highland of modern industry and a symbol of the comprehensive national strength of a country; it is also crucial for constructing a new development pattern of dual circulation in China. The development of civil aero-engine industry in China started late and now it is in a critical period of development. Therefore, it is necessary to explore a strategic path for the independent development of the industry, thereby strengthening the transportation, manufacturing, and aviation sectors of China. Through field investigation and further discussion, experiences of other countries regarding aero-engine development are summarized and development status of aero-engines in China is analyzed. Moreover, existing problems of the aero-engine industry in China are examined while considering the development situation in China and abroad and focusing on market demand. The independent development of China’s aero-engine industry can be achieved by three steps and the three-step targets can be realized by promoting scientific and technological innovation capabilities, improving the industrial and supply chains, and encouraging international cooperation. Furthermore, the following suggestions are proposed: promoting the research and development of green power, establishing an aircraft – engine coordination mechanism, developing a multiple support mode, and strengthening policy support and guidance.

Air traffic is exhibiting the characteristics of large flow, strong coupling, and high time variation. To ensure its smooth, efficient, safe, and reliable operation, an intelligent model for air traffic management that features digitalization, automation, and collaboration needs to be developed. This study reviews the current and future demand for air traffic management and analyzes the challenges faced by traditional air traffic management from the aspects of traffic control, airspace management, and flow control. It also summarizes four basic scientific problems: interaction mechanism and mode between aircraft and air control infrastructure, air– ground coordinated control of aircraft intervals based on acceptable risks, airspace operation modeling and optimization considering multiple factors and based on non-uniform rules, and evolution mechanism and congestion propagation features of high-density air traffic flow. Moreover, it is suggested to integrate the application of satellite Internet, big data, digital twin, cloud computing, and other frontier technologies, and build an intelligent management technology system for air traffic from the aspects of aircraft, airspace, control decision-making, and operation, thereby laying a technical foundation for the construction of a next-generation air traffic management system.