Hybrid Air Vehicles is working with the Scottish transport body for the Highlands and Islands to build a business case for the commercial deployment of multiple airships in the region.
HITRANS (Highland and Islands Transport Partnership) is the statutory transport body for the Highland and Islands region, which makes up over 50% of Scotland’s land mass. With a relatively thin population spread across such a wide area, moving passengers and freight around the region is a challenge.
Having previously conducted a feasibility study on using airships in northern Scotland, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) and HITRANS is now advancing the business case for the commercial deployment of Airlander 10 vehicles in the region. HAV has also committed to reserve early production slots for six Airlander 10 aircraft for HITRANS.
Ranald Robertson, director of HITRANS said, “We are excited to see early concept work progress further towards eventual service. We are committing resources and effort to work with even greater focus with HAV to produce a compelling business case that will attract the commercial interest and investment required.”
Airlander 10 can carry about 100 passengers or ten tonnes of freight payload, or a combination of both. HAV claims the airship produces up to 90% fewer emissions when compared like-for-like with similar aircraft.
Since the start of 2024, the company has begun its type certification program with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and confirmed that its flagship production site will be located in Carcroft Common, South Yorkshire. It expects Airlander 10 to be in full-scale production by the end of the decade.
“This decade, Airlander 10 can help open up new commercial opportunities and access to tourism, making it easier to see friends and family, and improve access to vital public services – all the whilst breaking the link between growth and emissions in air transport,” said Tom Grundy CEO at Hybrid Air Vehicles.
“We are committing six Airlander 10 production slots for our growing partnership with HITRANS as we develop the business case together because this is precisely the type of game-changing air transport service we developed it for.”
