An airship to the isles? Let’s hope it’s more reliable than CalMac!
SIX futuristic electric aircraft have been earmarked to fly passengers in the Highlands and Islands.
Full-scale manufacture of the Airlander 10 aircraft – part-airship and part-plane – could begin by the end of the decade.
The first six to be made will be reserved for routes in Scotland to bolster transport networks in remote areas.
The aircraft, which will be able to carry 100 passengers, ten tons of freight or a combination of both, can operate from landing sites with limited infrastructure.
Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the firm behind the Airlander, has been researching how the craft could be flown from the Western Isles, Shetland, Orkney and the Highlands. The six aircraft, which will be built in Yorkshire, will be allocated to the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (HITRANS) but a commercial operator will need to be found to deliver the flights. A feasibility study last year found the Airlander could boost tourism and increase freight capacity and would be more environmentally friendly than traditional air travel.
Tom Grundy, chief executive of HAV, said: ‘We’re committing six Airlander 10 production slots for our partnership with HITRANS because this is precisely the type of game-changing air transport service we developed it for.
‘Airlander 10 can help open up new commercial opportunities and access to tourism, and improve access to vital public services – while breaking the link between growth and emissions in air transport.’
Ranald Robertson of HITRANS said: ‘We are excited to see early concept work progress further towards eventual service.’