The Airlander Team have made two significant deals this week to make a tourism version of their unique low carbon aircraft a reality.

Airlander are announcing that Henry Cookson Adventures will be the first to trial an expeditionary journey in 2018 as a pre-cursor to Airlander's use in the luxury travel and adventure sector. Henry Cookson Adventures is the pioneering British luxury travel expert with a number of firsts to its name.

As part of a British Government Innovate UK investment in engineering design, HAV and aircraft interiors designers Design Q have been awarded a UK Government grant to design an interior for the tourism variant of the Airlander.

Furthermore, Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd announces Design Q as its preferred supplier for design and manufacture of the luxury cabin interiors created as a result of the Project. This unprecedented project has been awarded to Design Q due to their extensive experience in specializing in the early stage design and build of luxury aircraft interiors.

"I have flown Airlander a number of times now, and am really excited about the possibility of taking the first passengers on board. I can imagine the awe and excitement of seeing the world in luxury, with amazing views, quietly and whilst respecting the environment." Says Dave Burns, Airlander Chief Test Pilot.

The wide-ranging and unique capabilities of Airlander mean HAV can provide a brand new option for high-end, luxury tourism. The ability to stay aloft for days at a time, in virtual silence, with floor-to-ceiling windows and fresh air make Airlander perfect for cruising in exceptional locations.

Using innovative technology, Airlander 10 is the first in a new breed of hyper-efficient aircraft. Though potentially capable of staying in the air for weeks at a time, it is her ability to land anywhere that truly sets her apart from traditional aircraft. These twin assets make her perfect for exclusive adventures, bringing guests to hard-to-reach locations in unprecedented levels of comfort.

Design Q will be working closely with the project team to ensure the perfect cabin layout is realized for passengers.

On completion of the trial flight in 2018, HCA ultimately plans to take the type-certified Airlander 10 to a range of destinations at client request, experiencing landscapes that vary as diversely as the North Pole, Bolivian Salt Pans and Namib Desert. By collaborating with leading scientists, explorers and conservationists, HCA is able to deliver often inaccessible experiences to clients; sharing hidden corners of the world with a select few and promising genuine next-level travel.

Airlander 10's highly anticipated launch as a tourism and expeditionary aircraft is now becoming a reality thanks to these two significant steps forward.

Innovate UK Design Foundations Grant

This grant is one of the winner's in Innovate UK's investment of up to £1 million in early-stage, human-centred design projects. These projects will help businesses identify high-value innovation opportunities and generate ideas for new products, services or business models that align with customer demand.

The competition rules state that grant award winners should use, "recognised design processes to understand customer motivations and behaviour, inspire new ideas, support decision-making and inform innovation strategy."

This project is expected to last no more than 6 months.

About Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd

Founded in 2007, Hybrid Air Vehicles is the company behind the innovative Airlander range of hybrid aircraft. Airlander's create new capability in the air with ultra-endurance combined with large payloads. This gives unprecedented surveillance, search and communications aspects, and will ultimately lead to passenger and cargo carrying roles.

The Airlander 10 combines the best characteristics of fixed-wing aircraft with lighter-than-air technology to create a new breed of hyper-efficient and sustainable aircraft, with significantly lower pollution – including noise, its carbon footprint or other particles. This green aircraft also has significantly lower operating costs and maintenance needs than standard forms of air transport. They can take off and land from unprepared sites in desert, ice, water, or open field environments in a short distance. Airlander 10 is designed to stay airborne for up to five days at a time to fulfil a wide range of communication and survey roles, as well as cargo carrying and tourist passenger flights.

Hybrid Air Vehicles has been awarded both UK and European* grant funding to support the Airlander project. In addition the company has carried out two 'crowdfunding' rounds and is proud to have more than 2000 enthusiastic shareholders. Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd was recently accepted onto London Stock Exchange's ELITE programme for high growth companies looking to seek a listing on the AIM Stock Market.

Over the past few years Hybrid Air Vehicles has won a number of awards which validate our technology, and the great workforce that have created a unique concept and product. Our award successes reflect our remarkable achievements, won through dogged entrepreneurial determination and private investment spanning 40 years.

Hybrid Air Vehicles recognise the critical role Airlander plays in inspiring future Scientists, Technologists, Engineers and Mathematicians and we actively educate and encourage young people into STEM careers through collaboration with industry leaders, government bodies, educators and individuals. HAV currently employs 3 Apprentices, who are studying at Bedford College.

The Airlander project was selected for EU funding through a dedicated SME Instrument of Horizon 2020, which the European Commission uses to invest in and support high growth and highly innovative small businesses. The technology is also fully in line with activities under the Smart, Green and Integrated Transport Societal Challenge of Horizon 2020, which aims to boost the competitiveness of the European transport industries and achieve a European transport system that is resource-efficient, climate-and-environmentally-friendly, safe and seamless for the benefit of all citizens, the economy and society.