The Highlands and Islands to explore Airlander 10’s potential to unlock a greener future for air travel and transform connectivity
Highlands and Islands, Scotland, Wednesday 9 November 2022: Hybrid Air Vehicles [HAV] today announces a first of its kind concept study to explore the use case for introducing Airlander 10 aircraft for passenger transport and freight in the Highlands and Islands.
The study is supported by a consortium of key organisations including Highlands and Islands Airport [HIAL], Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership [HiTrans), Highlands and Islands Enterprise [HIE], Orkney Island Council [OIC] and Loganair.
It is expected that the study – which will take three months to complete – will seek to understand how Airlander 10 could support sustainable mobility in the region, and both diversify and boost connectivity for communities across the Highlands and Islands.
Airlander 10 could significantly cut emissions for travel in the Highlands and Islands, a region where air travel is a lifeline, not a luxury. HAV is currently designing an all-electric variant of the Airlander which will be a zero-carbon emissions aircraft, scheduled to be operational by the end of the decade.
The study will compare emission reductions with existing transport options and assess the opportunities to operate at non-airport locations, taking advantage of the aircraft’s water operation capability.
The project will also consider Airlander’s potential to deliver freight with a combi variant of the aircraft. With a 10-tonne payload, Airlander 10 could help to boost both regional passenger connectivity and logistics.
More broadly, it is hoped that by transforming connectivity in the region it will better connect communities that are cut off from other modes of transport and attract more visitors and residents, thereby also creating an economic proposition for the region.
Inglis Lyon, HIAL managing director, stated: “HIAL’s aim is to become a net-zero carbon regional airport group. To achieve this, we need to investigate innovative solutions for sustainable air travel.
“This collaboration allows us to explore the potential use of Airlander 10 as part of the region’s transport network. A network that provides essential and lifeline services to some of Scotland’s most remote regions.”
Tom Grundy, CEO of HAV said: “Hybrid Air Vehicles are changing the way we think about regional travel and sustainable aviation. This is particularly the case for sometimes hard-to-reach regions such as the Highlands and Islands. This study will, I hope, pave the way for a revolution in green short-haul flights in this wonderful, beautiful, if sometimes inaccessible, part of the world, boosting connectivity and the local economy as we do so.”
Ranald Robertson, Partnership Director of HITRANS said: ‘HITRANS are delighted that this study is being undertaken. It offers an opportunity for us to understand the potential offered by Airlander 10 as part of the region’s journey to net zero aviation. Airlander offers an opportunity to provide low carbon transportation of passengers and freight with the potential to develop new routes where journey time savings can be realised on current modes of travel including road and ferry.’
The news follows HAV’s recent announcement of its launch airline customer, Spanish regional airline, Air Nostrum Group.
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About Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd
Hybrid Air Vehicles is the company behind Airlander technology. Their first production aircraft, Airlander 10, will deliver up to a 90% reduction in carbon emissions compared to other aircraft in its various roles, before attaining zero emissions by 2030. The company’s vision is to be the future of zero-carbon aviation. It expects Airlander to be the first large scale aircraft (capable of carrying up to 100 passengers or 10 tonnes) to achieve zero emissions flight. The production standard aircraft is expected to be in flight from 2023 and in service in 2026. The Airlander family of aircraft serve customers in mobility, logistics, experiential travel, and communications & surveillance.
Please visit HAV’s website for more information.
For media enquiries, please see details below.
Media Contact:
Farah Pasha
[07506 657137]
Email: hav@madano.com