Electric aircraft Airlander 10 reserved for Highlands and Islands as plans progress

An agreement has been struck to progress plans for a new wave of electric aircraft across the Highlands and Islands.

Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) want to introduce six Airlander 10 aircraft – a hybrid between plane and airship – with the aim of beginning production before the end of the decade.

Passenger and freight services from sites in Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles and the Highlands are being proposed as part of a deal agreed between HAV and the Highland and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS).

Production slots for six aircraft, which can carry up to 100 passengers or ten tonnes of freight, have been reserved for HITRANS.

Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd 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.

The aircraft can carry up to 100 passengers or ten tonnes of freight. HAV

“HITRANS, through this further work, has reaffirmed its commitment to bringing new transport innovations forward.

“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.

“HITRANS are a visionary partner, and we’re excited to take another step forward together.”

The new aircraft would need to be operated by a commercial company, said HAV.

The Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) is the UK’s first operationally based low-carbon aviation test centre, based at Kirkwall Airport on Orkney.

Ranald Robertson, director of Highland and Islands Transport Partnership said: “We are excited to see early concept work progress further towards eventual service.

“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.

“This is a direct product of the successful SATE project, supported by UKRI, where the challenges of connectivity in Northern Scotland are proving an ideal test for both the technical and commercial capabilities of new technology.”