The Spanish airline Air Nostrum plans to return passenger airships to the sky. The last time these soaring giants took to the air was more than 80 years ago.
On June 15, Valencia-based Air Nostrum, which serves mainly regional routes within Spain, announced plans to become the first customer for the Airlander 10, a new generation of classic airships being developed by Hybrid Air Vehicles in Bedford, England.
At 92 meters long, the device is the longest flying object in the world, but it is still inferior to the size of its largest predecessors from the pre-war era.
So, the British-made Airlander 10 should take to the skies of Spain in 2026. Thanks to the lift and natural volatility provided by the inert, non-flammable helium, the four thrust vectoring engines that power the Airlander 10 can run on relatively small amounts of fuel. Airlander 10 can produce up to 90 percent fewer emissions than conventional aircraft with a similar payload.
These figures are achieved through the use of conventional jet fuel, but in the future, it will be possible to move to a hybrid and eventually all-electric propulsion system. The company is already working towards this goal with the help of Collins Aerospace and the University of Nottingham.
The only downside is speed. The maximum speed of the Airlander is 130 km/h. But, according to experts, in some cases, it does not matter.
Air Nostrum can operate airships on some of its popular short-haul routes, such as in the Balearic Islands or between the archipelago and the Spanish mainland. These segments currently operate either ATR-72–600 turboprops or Canadair regional jets.
The Airlander 10 nacelle will be able to carry up to 100 passengers, which is the capacity of the largest aircraft in Air Nostrum’s fleet, the CRJ-1000.
Most of the airline’s routes are conveniently located within the 750-kilometer maximum range the Airlander 10 is theoretically capable of. proper airport with GDP.
What’s more, the Airlander 10’s low speed is even touted as a plus in some cases, as it makes the airship a great option for panoramic and luxurious air cruises like the one Swedish startup OceanSky Cruises is planning to take to the North Pole. A bonus is the endurance of the Airlander – it can stay in the air for up to five days.
However, it is worth noting that the Airlander 10, a project that began back in 2012, is still far from completing the certification process.
If all goes well and the Airlander 10 enters commercial service in 2026, it could potentially be followed by a larger version of the Airlander 50, capable of carrying up to 200 passengers.