Hybrid Air Vehicles has announced an aircraft reservation agreement with Grands Espaces, a French eco-tourism company founded by Arctic scientist and author, Christian Kempf.
Grands Espaces will use Airlander 10 aircraft to offer its customers the opportunity to experience adventures in hard to reach places.
The announcement is another step forward in Airlander 10’s entry into service programme, growing an order book already in excess of £1bn and building momentum towards the start of production this year.
By bringing together Hybrid Air Vehicles’ Airlander 10 with Grands Espaces’ sustainably minded and pioneering vision of tourism, the reservation will enable the expansion of tourism into new and less-explored regions with an ultra-low emissions aircraft.
Airlander’s ability to take-off and land from any reasonably flat surface, including water and ice, and the minimal requirement for fixed infrastructure will help to sustainably expand Grands Espaces’ services, offering improved access to areas that cannot be easily reached by conventional aircraft or boat, while offering a unique experience for guests.
Grands Espaces customers will be able to embark on trips, including to spectacular natural sites, providing customers with truly immersive and intimate experiences.
With production set to begin this year, Grands Espaces will be able to offer customers new Airlander 10 experiences from 2028.
George Land, executive director of sales, Hybrid Air Vehicles said: “Airlander is an aircraft that brings great possibilities to the world of travel and tourism, offering more services and new experiences without the negative effects legacy aircraft have on the planet. This agreement with Grands Espaces is so important to us because of our shared values of sustainable growth and responsibility and respect for the environment.
“Through this reservation agreement Hybrid Air Vehicles and Grands Espaces are rethinking what is possible for a low-impact, low-carbon tourism industry.”
Christian Kempf, founder and CEO, Grands Espaces said: “Grands Espaces has been a pioneer in polar exploration cruises aboard small boats. For over 25 years, our travellers have been exploring remote and fragile regions with us, returning amazed and with a better understanding of these places. The environment is at the core of our philosophy, not only in the organisation of our trips but also through my history as a scientist exploring polar regions for over 50 years.
We always move forward with a pioneering spirit. We have worked for 4 years with HAV to prepare for this project and partnership. The signing of this reservation agreement is a significant step forward. We find in HAV the pioneering and innovative spirit that resonates with us, and we are confident that we will achieve great things together.”
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