Hybrid Air Vehicles announces launch customer for Airlander 10

Deliveries of HAV’s hybrid aircraft are expected from 2026 with production planned to take place in South Yorkshire, a development expected to create thousands of skilled jobs.

In a statement, Tom Grundy, CEO of  HAV said: “As countries like France, Denmark, Norway, Spain and the UK begin to put in place ambitious mandates for the decarbonisation of domestic and short haul flight, Hybrid Air Vehicles and Air Nostrum Group are demonstrating how we can get there – and get there soon.”

Airlander 10 is a hybrid aircraft that relies on a combination of buoyant lift from helium like an airship, aerodynamic lift like an aeroplane and vectored thrust like a helicopter. The company said the aircraft generates up to 40 per cent of its lift from aerodynamics by the passage of air over the hull and the remainder from buoyant lift from the helium. At lower speed and closer to the ground, vectoring engine power is used to provide additional lift and manoeuvrability for take-off, landing and ground handling.