Communication by Airbus
Since 2020, Airbus has increased its efforts on aircraft using hydrogen as an energy source. The ambitious objective publicly stated by the ZEROe programme was an entry into service in 2035.
On 3 February, at a CSE-C (Central Social and Economic Committee) meeting, management informed about the key challenges facing the company’s efforts and the risks to the fuel cell demonstrator, with a major delay to the first flight on the A380, without mentioning that the ZEROe project had been postponed.
On 7 February, Airbus announced to the press (AFP, Reuters) that it had postponed its target for ZEROe to enter service, because progress (…) was slower than expected.
Internally, the teams were informed of major budget cuts, involving slow down of the activities (major delay of the flight demonstrator on the A380, postponement of entry into service by 5 to 10 years) and the redeployment of staff.
Form and content
Adapting to the reality of complex technological developments and the constraints of the hydrogen ecosystem (industrial production of H2, adaptation of airports, etc.) is understandable.
However, the CFDT does not agree with the way it is being done!
It is abnormal to find out about such important decisions through the press, when the subject was on the agenda of a CSE-C a few days earlier. This can only make us doubt the willingness to be transparent with employee representative bodies.
Social impact and strategy: CFDT request for communication
This is all the more true as employee redeployments are envisaged, not forgetting the service providers involved in the project. This change of strategy is not without consequences for the commitment of the teams and the psycho-social impact.