A new aviation concept invites travelers to imagine a zipline-style balloon ride that could connect major European routes. For example, a journey from Barcelona to Majorca might become a four-hour reality with a low-energy airship fleet designed to minimize emissions.
The Airlander 10 is planned to be assembled in an environmentally conscious aviation cluster in South Yorkshire starting this year. The British press notes that a group of helium-powered airships, not hydrogen, will be delivered to a Spanish operator. The plan is for Air Nostrum to incorporate these airships into domestic routes.
The Airlander 10 assembly in the green aerospace manufacturing cluster of Yorkshire is expected to create about 1,800 jobs.
Alongside Air Nostrum, Hybrid Air Vehicles is exploring sustainable aviation solutions, including plans to add the Airlander 10 to its fleet. The airship uses significantly less fuel than many other aircraft options, enabling targets such as a substantial reduction in CO2 emissions. The Valencian airline has stated this approach could apply to an initial project and may progress toward zero emissions by 2030. The production aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on responsible consumption and climate action.
The agreement with Hybrid Air Vehicles aims for the first aircraft to become operational after certification, with further deliveries planned in 2026 and phased over the next five years. An example cited by the British manufacturer is a potential Barcelona to Palma route taking a little over four hours. This route is under consideration by Air Nostrum, though it has not been officially launched.
Air Nostrum intends to launch this alternative transport option with a limited fleet, no more than ten airships. Other regional operators near Valencia have reserved an additional dozen airships. The Airlander 10 can perch on flats surfaces, both on land and water, and its capability to take off and land in compact spaces makes it a potential mobility option for cities lacking traditional airport facilities, including island regions.
hundred passengers
Estimates place the cost of Airlander production at around 25 million pounds, roughly 29 million euros. The craft is designed to carry up to 100 passengers in a spacious cabin, with flight dynamics that minimize the sensation of engine vibrations and reduce the need for pressurization during low-altitude travel.
The airship’s top speed is about 130 kilometers per hour, and flight endurance can reach approximately 3,700 kilometers. The developer envisions a hybrid configuration starting in 2025, paving the way toward fully electric propulsion by 2030. In the interim, autonomy could be limited to around 350 kilometers for certain missions.
Air Nostrum will support Hybrid Air Vehicles in the engineering development program and flight testing of the Airlander 10.