Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) is a privately owned UK–based business, advised by Earth Capital, which is pioneering zero-emissions aircraft for a better-connected tomorrow. Its first aircraft to market, Airlander 10, can deliver 100-seat passenger mobility, a 10-tonne payload of freight transportation, or a combination of the two. HAV aims to transform short–haul regional passenger transport, create a unique opportunity for eco-tourism and provide a platform for long–endurance communications and surveillance. The technology is scalable, with its next aircraft, Airlander 50, able to deliver much larger payloads, meeting the gap in the logistics and freight markets by offering a quicker, more cost– and carbon–efficient alternative to shipping. The unique design of the Airlander means it has ultra-low emissions and can land on any relatively flat surface, eliminating the need for traditional infrastructure. HAV’s journey began in 2007, with funding from the US Department of Defense (DoD) for long–endurance surveillance operations. The company still works closely with the US DoD, the US Navy and the US Marine Corps as well as many highly respected partners and affiliates across both the airline transportation and defence industries.  

There are five key reasons why HAV represents an exciting investment case: 

• First, the Airlander represents a breakthrough in aerial transportation, leveraging a unique hybrid design that uses the free lift from a helium-filled hull and an innovative wing design, which overcomes traditional airship limitations. By combining the efficiency of lighter-than-air technology with unprecedented operational flexibility, the Airlander can operate from any flat surface, be it land or water, setting it apart from conventional aircraft. Initially the Airlander will have up to 90% reduced emissions, with a development pathway to zero-emissions flight by 2030. The Airlander’s ability to enable point-to-point connections, with limited infrastructure and significantly lower carbon emissions, fills the large gap in the market between fast, energy-intensive transportation and slower infrastructure-dependent surface transport. 
• Second, a key selling point for the Airlander is its ability to address a diverse range of technical applications, allowing it to tap into a global addressable market of more than $1tn. The Airlander’s 2,000 nautical mile operational range and its ability to stay airborne for up to five days without the need to refuel demonstrates its ability to excel in surveillance and communication. In tests run in conjunction with Nato in 2018, it was confirmed that a single Airlander was able to cover a surveillance area that would traditionally take 10 aircraft to cover. For logistics, it offers unprecedented payload capabilities of 10–200+ tonnes, enabling sustainable direct cargo delivery to remote locations without the constraints of traditional airport infrastructure. The regional passenger transport market represents another exciting frontier, promising affordable, point-to-point transportation with minimal environmental impact. The need for low–emission transportation is becoming increasingly important, with legislation being put in place throughout Europe. 
• Third, the market’s response speaks volumes. HAV has secured around £1.3bn in reservations for Airlander 10, and an additional £1.6bn is under discussion. Prestigious partners such as Air Nostrum Group, Europe’s largest privately owned regional airline, have demonstrated confidence in this revolutionary technology. HAV’s strategic partnerships extend beyond commercial aviation. Collaborations with industry giants such as BAE Systems and AECOM, coupled with a close relationship with the US DoD, underscore the Airlander’s versatility and strategic importance. 
• Fourth, the Airlander is a proven technology. The company successfully flew a full-scale prototype in 2016 and 2017, making it the most advanced programme in the lighter-than-air technology space.  
• Finally, HAV has to date invested c £140m in capital and funding in developing the Airlander aircraft family. The company aims to raise an additional c £300m to achieve its production target of 24 aircraft annually, with first customer deliveries scheduled for around the end of 2028.  

HAV represents an investment in the future of sustainable, flexible transportation positioned at the intersection of environmental responsibility, technological innovation and strategic market opportunities. 

Published 24 January 2025.