Airship Pioneer Encouraged by New Interest in Hybrid Electric Airlander
The aircraft could carry up to 90 passengers on point-to-point services and could also be used to carry cargo and missions like surveillance.
Airship pioneer Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) believes it may be set to get its long and checkered path to market back on track. The UK-based company this week reported that it is working with what it described as “a top 10 global investment bank” to deliver a large-scale investment. It also announced the receipt of a deposit to charter one of its Airlander hybrid electric airships to an unidentified customer.
HAV has been trying to secure a launch customer for years. It has targeted four markets: communications and surveillance; luxury sightseeing; point-to-point cargo delivery; and short-haul passenger travel. The charter just reserved is for a commercial customer and an unspecified mission.
