For example, imagine traveling between Mallorca and Barcelona aboard an airship. This step toward more sustainable air mobility is advancing, with Air Nostrum playing a leading role. The Valencian airline is linked to a broader sustainable mobility project through the Airlander 10, a versatile airship developed by British company Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV).
An agreement has been signed for Air Nostrum to serve as the launch customer of the Airlander 10, an ecological and adaptable airship. If HAV’s plans unfold as expected, service could begin as early as 2026, with the airline adding ten airships to its fleet over the following five years.
Air Nostrum is exploring varied, planet-friendly options, including the integration of the Airlander 10 into its fleet. The airship promises dramatically lower fuel consumption than conventional aircraft, with the potential to cut CO2 emissions by up to 90 percent in certain operations. The project aims for emissions to fall to net zero by 2030, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially responsible production, consumption, and climate action.
The deal with Hybrid Air envisions the first aircraft entering operation in 2026 after certification, followed by a steady rollout of additional units over the next five years. HAV highlights routes like Barcelona to Palma in a little over four hours as examples, while noting that the launch of such routes remains contingent and will depend on further confirmations from Air Nostrum.
For cities without airports and islands
Air Nostrum has proposed a model that would operate up to ten aircraft on a hire basis. The aircraft’s versatility and sustainability are emphasized as its key strengths. The Airlander 10 can land on any reasonably flat surface, including water, and its ability to take off and land in compact areas makes it a compelling mobility alternative for cities and islands lacking traditional airport infrastructure.
Carlos Bertomeu, head of Air Nostrum, explained that the company has long been examining every available option to reduce its carbon footprint and intends to achieve drastic emissions reductions with the Airlander 10.
Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, stated that the airship could open new transportation networks. He added that the partnership with Air Nostrum to launch the Airlander 10 illustrates how decarbonization of short-haul and domestic flights can be accelerated, noting that several European nations are setting ambitious mandates for reducing aviation emissions. Production of the Airlander 10 is planned to begin shortly, with ongoing development in subsequent years.
Runway-free takeoffs and landings
The Airlander 10 does not require a traditional runway or launch platform. It uses powerful propulsion systems for movement, paired with helium for lift. Fuel savings of up to 90 percent compared with typical airplanes are anticipated. The airship is expected to receive the same certification standards as standard commercial aircraft from global regulators and could be ready for service in 2026. Its helium-filled envelope enables takeoffs and landings from varied locations, including waterfront or improvised airfields.
Top speeds are limited, yet the Airlander 10 can reach around 130 kilometers per hour, and its range could extend to about 3,700 kilometers, making it suitable for many prominent routes across Spain. The initial passenger configuration plans to accommodate roughly one hundred travelers in a cabin designed to operate without full pressurization at moderate operating altitudes.
Air Nostrum’s Technical Area is already collaborating with HAV on engine and propulsion studies, while the airline’s Commercial and Customer Service teams contribute expertise on interior design and passenger experience for regional operations and service delivery. The agreement also covers joint efforts in training staff, planning and executing aircraft maintenance, refining operational procedures, and integrating the Airlander 10 into an Air Operator Certificate framework.
Beyond this program, Air Nostrum will assist HAV with engineering development and flight testing activities, bringing practical insights from crew and passenger experience, including boarding processes and terminal facilities.
Air Nostrum has pursued several sustainability initiatives. In collaboration with Dante Aeronautical and Volotea, the airline is exploring a 100 percent electric propulsion concept that combines a hybrid battery with hydrogen cells to power shorter routes. A separate collaboration with Universal Hydrogen is aimed at upgrading the turboprop fleet with hydrogen capabilities. Air Nostrum has also conducted one of Spain’s early biofuel flights, a Valencia CF charter that demonstrated substantial life-cycle emissions reductions for the chosen fuel blend.