Airbus has delayed the service-entry target for a hydrogen-powered aircraft developed under its ZEROe project by up to 10 years and axed plans to flight-test hydrogen propulsion systems, according to a French trade union.

Airbus SE said that one of its most ambitious projects for future propulsion — using hydrogen to power an aircraft — is progressing slower than planned because of the technological hurdles involved, dealing a setback to the industry’s efforts to clean up air travel.