Abstract
This study investigates key strategies for reducing the energy and financial costs of air transportation and argues that a substantial decrease in fuel use per ton-kilometer can significantly enhance Europe’s energy independence. To achieve this, the paper proposes an air transport system based on a large transport airship equipped with a hybrid propulsion system powered by solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The proposed propulsion architecture integrates a gas turbine engine (GTE), an auxiliary generator, an SOFC stack, a steam reformer, electric motors, and a battery subsystem. Specially designed propellers ensure the aerodynamic performance required for efficient long-range transport. The auxiliary GTE provides compressed air for SOFC operation and preheats both the fuel cells and the reformed fuel mixture, enabling stable power generation under varying flight conditions. The study outlines methods for the parametric integration of hybrid propulsion systems with the aerodynamic design of a transport airship and identifies the key performance advantages of this configuration. The results can be applied to the development of next-generation hybrid airships with high payload capacity, long endurance, or high-altitude operating requirements, offering a viable pathway toward sustainable, low-emission aerial transport.