Jun 14, 20221 min
Spain's Air Nostrum has become the first airline to reserve 100-seat helium airships that emit just one tenth of harmful emissions produced by jet planes. Air Nostrum signed a deal to lease 10 Airlanders scheduled for delivery from 2026 onwards in a transaction worth over US$600 million. Airships could become a significant new source of helium demand later this decade. LTA (Lighter Than Air) Research, a company owned by Google co-founder Sergey Brin aims to build the longest US Airship that has flown since the 1930s.
The Spanish regional carrier aims to become HAV's launch customer while also diversifying its domestic fleet, using the Airlander on domestic routes. The UK group expects to create 1,800 jobs at its facility in South Yorkshire, northern England, when it starts production later this year. The hybrid ship, which looks like two blimps stuck together, has a helium-filled hull and will be propelled by a hybrid of electric and fuel-burning engines, with the goal of going all-electric by 2030.
It can stay in the air for five days and travel at maximum speeds of 130 km (80 miles) per hour, with a range of more than 7,000 kilometres.
"Airlander is designed to deliver a better future for sustainable aviation services, enable new transport networks and provide rapid growth options for our customers," said HAV chief executive Tom Grundy in a statement. Delivery will be staggered over a five-year period.