ABOVE: The hybrid-electric Airlander 10 will feature on the RIAT flying display line-up in 2027. 

A five-year partnership between Hybrid Air Vehicles and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) will culminate in the Airlander 10 airship being displayed at the 2027 show.

The new corporate partnership comes as world’s largest military airshow aims to minimise its environmental impact and showcase the technology and sustainability innovation in aerospace. Building on the electric light aircraft first exhibited at the show in 20222, the presence of Airlander’s ‘ultra-low emissions aircraft capable of delivering up to 90% emissions reduction across short-haul domestic transport, long-haul freight operations and long-endurance military logistics and surveillance’ is described by the manufacturer as being ‘an excellent signal of the continuation of RIAT’s… decarbonization intentions’.

Alongside the landmark flying display scheduled for 2027, Hybrid Air Vehicles’ partnership with event organsisers the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE) will also see them becoming more involved with the show’s STEM initiatives.

“For us, sustainability represents a huge area of responsibility,” noted Kate McKinley, People and Sustainability Director, RAFCTE. “In the future we hope to establish ourselves as industry leaders in this area, and partnerships like this are a huge sign of intent”. Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, added that “today’s partnership with the Royal International Air Tattoo further strengthens Hybrid Air Vehicles’ position as a leader in aerospace decarbonization”.

The prototype Airlander 10 first flew in 2016 and Hybrid Air Vehicles are currently developing a hybrid-electric model, slated for delivery from 2027. In June 2022, Spanish airline Air Nostrum announced they had reserved ten models.

This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo will be held for three days this coming weekend at its RAF Fairford home, featuring ‘the thrilling sights and sounds of several hundred aircraft of all shapes and sizes, from all eras and countries of the world’.

IMAGE: HYBRID AIR VEHICLES