26 March 2024
The ‘Flying Bum’ airship, also known as Airlander 10, is to be built on a site north-east of Doncaster, South Yorkshire – on the other side of the city from Doncaster Airport.
The City of Doncaster Council and Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), developer of the Airlander, have agreed to locate production at Carcroft Common, a 50-hectare site identified by the council for development. The freehold for the site will be acquired by Hybrid Air Vehicles.
Subject to planning approval, Hybrid Air Vehicles will develop new facilities for Airlander 10’s production, testing, and certification operations, capable of producing up to 24 aircraft per year at the site. It’s claimed more than 1,200 jobs will be created.
Spectacular and relaxed: view for passengers on board an Airlander flight
Airlander 10 can carry 100 passengers or ten tonnes of payload, said HAV. The order book for Airlander 10 stands in excess of £1bn, with the first aircraft set to enter service from 2028 with Air Nostrum.
Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd said, “Airlander 10 will transform what’s possible for sustainable air travel, and Carcroft Common will deliver the flagship production centre we need to do that, creating over 1,200 jobs and a £1bn per annum export.
“Our vision to rethink clean flight has been met with robust support at every step of the way by City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire region.”
