Pioneering plans for ‘world’s largest aircraft’ to operate commercial flights on Western Isles routes
30 April 2024
A trailblazing project to deploy hybrid airships to fly passengers and cargo on Highlands and Islands routes has taken a step forward.
The aim is to have six Airlander 10 aircraft - described as a cross between an airship
and a plane - operating on Western Isles links and locations in Shetland, Orkney
and the Highlands around the end of the decade.
After years of developing and testing the model, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), intend to build a manufacturing base in South Yorkshire to produce up to 24 aircraft per year from 2028.
An option to reserve six Airlanders for Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans) has been agreed.
Ranald Robertson, director of Hitrans, said: “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.”
Tom Grundy, chief executive of HAV, said: “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.
“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.”
The Airlander is longer than a 747 jumbo jet, and the height of six-double decker
buses, making it the largest aircraft in the world.
With speeds up to 85mph and a range of 4000 miles it can carry up to ten tonnes of freight and seat 100 passengers.
