Hybrid Airlander 10 to fly across Scottish Highlands
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has announced plans to fly across the Highlands of Scotland, in its Airlander 10. Passengers will be treated to a view of the rugged scenery on the part-plane, part-airship, where flat tyres, road-blocking herds of sheep and potholes are a thing of the past.
While there are plans to use six of the first aircraft to be used by Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans), production is not expected to begin before 2030.
Transforming Highlands transport and tourism with HITRANS partnership
HITRANS is a regional transport partnership, created by Transport Scotland, which covers more than 50% of the country's total landmass, with a goal to provide better local and national transport and to help strengthen Scotland's economy.
The Airlander 10 is well-suited to the Highlands, due to its ability to take-off and land with limited infrastructure.
The region aims to have net-zero air transport by 2045, which the Airlander 10 will support.
- Combines airship and fixed-wing aircraft technology
- Could carry 100 passengers or 10 tonnes of freight
- Up to 90% fewer emissions when compared with similar aircraft.
"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," said Tom Grundy, CEO at Hybrid Air Vehicles. “We’re 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.”
"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," added Ranald Robertson, Director, Highland and Islands Transport Partnership.
A production site has been identified at Carcroft Common, in South Yorkshire, England.
Don’t forget to check out our Top 10: All-Electric Aircraft.
Electric airports in New Zealand
On the other side of the world, yet in a somewhat similar climate, Air New Zealand has chosen Wellington and Marlborough Airports as ports for its first all-electric aircraft. The airline purchased the all-electric ALIA CTOL from Beta Technologies and in partnership with NZ Post will begin by operating a cargo-only service, before it considers passenger flights.
In addition to this, Air New Zealand has also signed an agreement with chemical manufacturer Neste, for 9m litres of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™.
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