Rock star’s helium airships maker lands $600m deal

A SISTER airline of British Airways has put in the first big order for a new generation of helium airships from a venture backed by Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson.

Valencia-based Air Nostrum, owned by British Airways’ holding company IAG, has struck a deal to buy 10 airships from Bedford shire based Hybrid Air Vehicles. Air Nostrum is hoping to have the 100-seat vehicles running on its regional, short-haul routes by 2026.

The deal could be worth more than $600m (£497m) including leasing the aircraft and maintenance, according to insiders.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, hailed the deal as “proof of how the UK’S businesses are embracing new technology to drive growth and support high skilled UK jobs”.

Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander 10 is slower than a jet, but more efficient, aiming to cut the carbon footprint per passenger by 90pc. Slashing CO2 output will also make the trips cheaper as fuel expenses are reduced.

The 290ft vehicles – which are around twice the length of a Boeing 737 – are kept aloft by lift from a heliumfilled fabric hull. Its engines burn jet fuel for propulsion and steering the craft but the company plans to use fully electric motors from 2030. The helium is held under low pressure, which means any leaks are slow, allowing time to return to earth for repairs.

The Air Nostrum order marks a turnaround of fortunes for Hybrid Air Vehicles after two high-profile mishaps during development.

A prototype crash landed in 2016. Then, in 2017, two people were injured when it broke free from its moorings.