Giant aircraft maker seeks South Yorkshire base

Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV), maker of the world’s longest aircraft the Airlander 10 airship, has confirmed it is working with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Doncaster Council on a proposal to establish the Airlander 10 production line and aerospace manufacturing cluster in the South Yorkshire Region.

Airlander 10 is an electric-propulsion, helium-filled hybrid aircraft designed to fly passengers, freight or defence systems with up to 90% fewer emissions than other aircraft.

“As the Airlander 10 programme nears launch, we need to identify a suitable location for the facilities that will enable us to deliver a minimum of 12 Type Certified aircraft to the market per year,” said Bedford-based Hybrid Air Vehicles.

“South Yorkshire presents an ideal combination of strategic vision, educational and research institutions, potential partners (and current partners 2Excel Aviation and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre), and physical location.

“Together, HAV and SYMCA and these other organisations have built a strong relationship and we look forward to continuing our work to establish Airlander 10’s production home in South Yorkshire.

“Bedford remains an important part of HAV’s story going forward.

“We will continue to have a significant and growing presence at our Bedford site, in the community where Airlander was born.

“At this time, we are unable to discuss any specific details about our facility’s location or a potential break-ground date.

“We expect to make additional announcements about our developing South Yorkshire relationships over the coming weeks.”