Air Nostrum Group reserves 10 Airlander airships

The company headquartered in Spain ordered its first airships from Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) in Bedford, UK.

The commercial order for Air Nostrum airline is expected to be delivered starting 2026. As a result of the ANG order, more than 1.800 new jobs were created at HAV.

Hybrid Air Vehicles developed Airlander at Cardington, in Bedfordshire, and will commence the manufacturing process for the airships in South Yorkshire.

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Kwasi Kwarteng declared:

"Hybrid aircraft could play an important role as we transition to cleaner forms of aviation, and it is wonderful to see the UK right at the forefront of the technology's development."

Carlos Bertomeu, Air Nostrum's president, added with the occasion:

"We are exploring each and every possible way to reduce our carbon footprint. The Airlander 10 will drastically reduce emissions and for that reason we have made this agreement with HAV.

"Sustainability, which is good news for everyone, is already a non-negotiable fact in the daily operations of commercial aviation."

According to HAV representatives, the Airlander 10 is expected to reduce flight emissions by as much as 90%. The vehicles, using helium and electricity, were designed to transport up to 100 passengers.

As the manufacturing company explained, the hybrid aircraft will be able to fly thanks to an innovative combination of aerodynamic lift, lifting gases and vectored thrust.

Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, concluded:

"Our partnership with Air Nostrum Group, as the launch airline for Airlander 10, leads the way towards that future.

"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."

 

source: bbc.com, Hybrid Air Vehicles