Are Airships Making a Comeback? The Latest in Aviation Innovation
Welcome to our latest roundup of innovation and sustainability stories from the aviation world.
In this edition, we're tracking an unexpected airship renaissance, electric aircraft taking to competitive skies, and eVTOL developers navigating the gap between promise and reality. From carbon mitigation to next-generation flight technologies, here's your regular dose of what's shaping the future of aviation.
Podcast: The Airship Renaissance
There is a new episode of the podcast! And this time it is about airships. Yes, the good old airship may be about to make a grand comeback. I spoke with three of the people that possibly know the most about airships in the world: the executive team of Straightline Aviation, a British startup that wants to become the world's first airship air cargo operator.
Check out my conversation with Mike Kendrick, Mark Dorey and James Dexter!
And, talking about airships, here is another project I came across: French firm Voliris wants to develop a remotely controlled cargo airship and has enlisted Michelin's help to make it happen. It will take still a few years at best, though, since the first tests of small scale demonstrators won't take place until at least 2028.
Electric Aviation: racing into the future
This weekend has seen the Pulitzer Electric Aircraft Race taking place at Springfield-Beckley airport, Ohio.
This contest aims to recover the (friendly) competitive spirit of the early years of aviation in this new era of innovation we are living through. Interestingly, all teams will be flying versions of the Textron-Pipistrel Velis Electro except one that will fly the BETA ALIA! Adam Twidell, an old friend of the podcast will be taking part, as well!
Advanced Air Mobility: Reality Check
There is an update to the Advanced Air Mobility Reality Index based on some of the latest funding and technical development news. Spoiler: EHang, Joby and BETA remain ahead.
Check out the AAM Reality Index
Interesting comments here about how realistic are (or aren't!) many eVTOL financial projections, particularly when estimating costs.
In the meantime, we’ve got some interesting developments in China, with EHang unveiling its new VT35 long range pilotless passenger eVTOL and XPeng rebranding to ARIDGE, unveiling a new long-range (500km) hybrid eVTOL and demoing its current aircraft in Dubai.
An well-argumented analysis of some of the leading eVTOL developers by Stefan Schamberger, a senior executive at Sonaca.
Wing-in-Ground vehicles: more military interest
The US military continues to invest in wing-in-ground (aka "Ekranoplan") technology. While REGENT is, perhaps, the best known player in this domain, there is another American startup, The Flying Ship Company (FSC), which is active in this field.
FSC has now been picked up by the U.S. Army xTechSearch 9 Competition, which will provide it with up to $250k in funding. This is small money in terms of aerospace (or maritime) development projects, but potentially a path to enter the well-endowed US military research programmes.
Other news about sustainability in aviation
Air New Zealand has committed to 8,000 tons of carbon removals by 2030 (500 in 2028, 2,500 in 2029, and 5,000 in 2030) with a company called My Native Forest. The carbon removals will be made through the restoration of native forests.
Air New Zealand has explained that this is part of a plan to get to 11,000 tons by 2030 (a second removals partner will be announced soon) and that this will supplement other measures the airline is taking to abate its emissions in the first place.
Check out also this piece I wrote about Air New Zealand's sustainability strategy after interviewing its Chief Sustainability Officer, Kiri Hanifin.
Air NZ Sustainability Chief on Adjusting Targets
Norwegian's super-SAF route in Denmark
Norwegian will blend up to 40% of SAF on the Danish domestic route between Copenhagen and Aalborg. This is because it won a government tender to operate this "green service" from March 2026, so I guess the SAF uptake is heavily subsidised.
Investment & Technology News
Fetcherr Raises $42M for AI Pricing
Fetcherr has closed a $42M Series C round led by Salesforce Ventures. The Israeli startup has developed Large Market Models (LMMs) which allow airlines to go a lot more granular and dynamic when it comes to pricing their tickets. This is a field that holds much promise, although airlines need to be careful in how they portray their price optimization efforts, as Delta lately found out!
I actually met with Fetcherr at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon and there will be a piece coming up soon on AeroTime about this.
Flight Tracking Alternatives
Lufthansa Innovation Lab (TNMT) has an interesting piece about Flightradar24 competitors, such as Flighty and Wingbits. Looking forward to checking them out!
Other aviation stories worth your attention
Making Pilot Training Accessible
How an ex-American Airlines CEO is trying to bring down the barriers that make it very difficult for many to access the airline pilot profession
EU vs Spain on Baggage Fees
The European Commission has deemed Spain's attempt to prevent cabin bag charges to be illegal.
European Commission's decision
SWISS first A350
The arrival to Switzerland of SWISS’ first A350 has given us some amazing images of this beautiful and specially-decorated aircraft, which was welcomed by the Swiss Air Force F-18 fighter jets. Check some pics here.
