Getting ZEROe to take-off
First inspired to join Airbus as a teen when he saw the A380 take flight for the first time, Sustainable Aviation Strategist Fabien Romero now assesses business models for another groundbreaking Airbus project: the ZEROe hydrogen-powered concept aircraft. Fabien’s work helps Airbus make strategic decisions at key points of the development process, bringing lower-emission aviation one step closer to becoming a reality.
What role are you playing in the development of the ZEROe hydrogen-powered concept aircraft?
I am on the Programme Operations and Business Strategy team, which is part of the Airbus strategy department. Airbus’ ambition is to deliver the world’s first hydrogen-powered aircraft, and my job is to assess different business models throughout the process.
To do so effectively, I have to take all business drivers and their maturity into account and examine how they interact.These variables range from market forecasts, costs, and industrial capabilities to value chain positioning, financial assumptions and more.
All these factors have to be assessed before we can make major project decisions, such as choosing between the different aircraft configurations.
Climate change concerns all of us, and cannot be ignored. ZEROe is a unique opportunity to shape the future of aviation by significantly reducing aviation's carbon impact.
What is the best part of working on ZEROe?
I am very motivated by ZEROe’s purpose, and I also like having a job that deals with complex topics in a fast moving environment. But most of all, I feel lucky to be part of an amazing, growing team made up of passionate people from different backgrounds.
What attracted you to the ZEROe project?
Climate change concerns all of us, and cannot be ignored. ZEROe is a unique opportunity to shape the future of aviation by significantly reducing aviation's carbon impact. I am excited to be part of this great leap forward, which will rely on a combination of new technologies, energy systems and, most of all, teams of talented pioneers!
What does it mean to you to work at Airbus?
Working at Airbus is an opportunity to contribute to the main purpose of aviation: connecting people, cultures and businesses across the world. Values that are important to me, such as respect, integrity, creativity and teamwork, are truly part of Airbus’ culture. They are not just something we talk about: they are values that we truly live every day and that personally motivate me to work for the company.
Have you had the opportunity to move around the company?
One of the great things about working at Airbus is the number of job opportunities that are available across divisions. Right now I’m based in Toulouse, but over my eleven years at the company I’ve had the chance to hold several engineering and manufacturing roles in different departments and countries.
What are your most memorable moments at Airbus?
How to choose! There are so many. One highlight was watching the first A350 flight from the side of the runway. I didn’t work on its development, but it was such an impressive moment and it made me so proud to work for the company. Another was my final day of flight physics training, where we flew in a small aircraft with an instructor from the Lasbordes aerodrome in Toulouse. He let me handle the yoke, and it was the first time I ever piloted an aircraft.
Working at Airbus is an opportunity to contribute to the main purpose of aviation: connecting people, cultures and businesses across the world.
What advice would you give to young people choosing a career path?
Some of the best advice I ever received, which I often repeat to others, is to find a job where you can have fun. It could come from working on a project that excites you, or with a team of amazing colleagues in a dynamic atmosphere, but you have to be able to smile in the morning when you come in to work.
