When CargoForwarder Global reported on the Airship panel at the Dubai Expo 2020 back on 11NOV21, there was an optimistic view that ‘huge progress’ was happening and there could be as many as 400+ airships in the sky by 2030***. We are now just 5 years shy of that deadline, and the vision seems to be increasingly ambitious. Nevertheless, according to a 360iResearch paper from 31OCT24, the Airships Market (estimated at USD 733.88 million in 2024) is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 7.71%, to USD 1,147.35 million by 2030. And a recent USD 50 million hybrid airship order by Straightline Aviation for AT² Aerospace Z1 airships, is another milestone towards that 2030 success achievement.

As Mark Dorey, CEO of Straightline Aviation, commented during the order signing: “This is a defining moment for Straightline Aviation and the global logistics industry. The Z1 is a game-changer, offering a flexible, cost-efficient, sustainable solution for delivering goods and services to remote communities where traditional transport is impractical or environmentally disruptive. The Z1 has multiple applications across numerous regions of the world, including cargo delivery, oil, gas and mining operations support and, crucially, the delivery of humanitarian aid. Our partnership with AT² Aerospace combines unrivalled airship operations experience with extensive technical expertise and ensures we are at the forefront of this new era of aviation.” In a recent Telegraph article, he lauded the adaptability of the Z1, likening it to a ‘flying truck’ and explained that its landing system is unique in that it can descend on practically any kind of surface including lakes, snowfields or forest clearings. It therefore lends itself to deployment in regions that are often inaccessible due to icy road surfaces, for example.

USD 50 million order placed
Shropshire, UK-based Straightline Aviation’s focus on humanitarian missions and remote logistics led it to place a USD 50 million order for a Z1 hybrid airship with the Californian Lockheed Martin spin-off, AT² Aerospace. Upon delivery of its first Z1 (one of a potential fleet of around 12 at a later stage) in 2028, it will be used for cargo projects in Brazil, Alaska and northern Canada. Mike Kendrick, Chairman and Co-Founder of Straightline Aviation, explained the company’s decision: “With decades of experience in airship operations, we understand exactly what it takes to deliver reliable, efficient and sustainable transport solutions. The Z1 hybrid airship is the culmination of years of innovation, and our team’s expertise ensures we can maximise its potential to meet our clients’ needs. Whether it’s remote logistics or humanitarian aid, this aircraft gives us an unprecedented capability to operate in areas where traditional aviation simply cannot.” And not only at a fraction of the cost of conventional air cargo, but also with far lower fuel consumption and emissions.

Another step forward for AT² Aerospace
AT² Aerospace CEO, Dr. Bob Boyd, also declared: “This is a seminal moment in sustainable aviation. Our hybrid airships will transform cargo transport by providing an environmentally responsible solution while maintaining operational efficiency. We are excited to partner with Straightline Aviation to deliver this landmark order.” And not just Straightline Aviation which has partly followed through on its 06JUN23 Letter of Intent that, at the time, foresaw a purchase of three hybrid airships with options on a further 12 to be delivered within the first three years of production, and wherein it would act as the lead customer of the Z1. Now, in 2025, its order follows hot on the heels of that of another key customer. On 27FEB25, Arctic Airships, a leading provider of sustainable remote logistics in Alaska, placed a significant purchase order for 2 hybrid airships along with an option for 18 additional airships. The purchase order amount remains undisclosed in this case.

A significant shift towards alternative sustainable aviation
Though airships still rarely feature at mainstream air cargo events, there is much going on in the retro-futuristic niche market that is looking to muscle in on the air cargo industry. 2025 should have been a breakthrough year for companies such as Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) and Flying Whales, which were both hoping to then be off the ground. Various challenges stretching from lifting gas choices and buoyancy control, through to bureaucracy, for example, have meant a shift in planning. HAV now aims to deliver its hybrid-electric Airlander 10 in 2028, offering a 90% reduction in emissions compared to conventional aircraft – and intends to go all electric (and thus emission-free) just two year later. Flying Whales was originally planning to fly its first 60-ton payload airship freighter this year, but has been delayed by problems in sourcing a production site, and is therefore now aiming for 2027, with commercial flights beginning in 2029. Likewise, over at H2 Clipper, “the world’s first point-to-point hydrogen delivery system, the pipeline-in-the-sky™”, its prototype flight should get off the ground next year, in preparation for commercial operations beginning in 2029.

Not only do these and similar airship companies that have emerged in Europe, America, and Russia in the past decade, envisage more environmentally sound cargo alternatives, but they expect to be around 70% cheaper than traditional air cargo solutions, today – and they offer manifold cargo and, above all, humanitarian transport solutions. The path is not quite as straightforward as originally planned, but it will be interesting to revisit this topic in 5 years from now.

***Title: Airships: The Big Revival 100 years later? Published 11NOV2021 in our portal

The first components for the new Airbus A350F freighter have arrived at the manufacturer’s factory in Hamburg. This is section 19, which is located at the end of the fuselage and is connected to the rear of the aircraft. The structural element was manufactured at the Airbus plant in Getafe, Spain, and flown to Hamburg on board an Airbus Beluga freighter.

This means that the freighter is finally gaining speed following a series of delays. However, its entry into service will not happen before Q3 of 2027. Airbus announced at the presentation of its 2024 annual results, as the production of a new aircraft variant involves ongoing safety and performance checks during production, as well as extensive flight, instrument and material tests in different weather conditions and climatic regions, as demanded by EASA, FAA and other regulators. Initially the freighter was scheduled to enter service in 2026, but this plan was postponed. Airbus had cited supply chain issues, specifically related to aircraft parts provided by manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems of Wichita, Kansas.

Extremely large hatch
The Airbus A350F is based on the A350-1000 and has a maximum take-off weight of 319 tons. To optimize the aircraft’s center of gravity, the fuselage section in front of the wings is slightly shortened compared to the passenger version A350-1000. With a cargo hatch of 4445mm (width) and 4305mm (height) the hatch surpasses the nose and side doors of the B747-400F, and it is 15% wider than the door of Boeing’s Triple Seven freighter. These dimensions allow for the loading of oversized and bulky items such as aircraft turbines without the need for disassembly. This sets a new standard in the freighter market, states Airbus.

All animals fit in, except for giraffes
Thanks to the altitude of the main deck compartment (183 cm / 6,000 feet) live animals like cows, horses or other large quadrupeds can be easily accommodated. The aircraft is powered by the Rolls Royce built Trent XWB-97, reducing fuel burn by 40% compared to competitive models and lowering noise emissions by 30 db, according to a performance overview from the manufacturer. The freighter can accommodate 111 tons per flight and offers a range of 8,700 km (4,700 nm) allowing nonstop services between Frankfurt and Delhi or Paris-Atlanta, for instance.

50% market share targeted
The A350F and its passenger sister, the A350-1000, share 100% commonality in engine spares and tooling which enables operators to optimize their maintenance efforts and cut down inventory costs. With 99% commonality in airframe tools and 98% in spares, the need for additional investment is significantly minimized. This extensive commonality simplifies fleet management and enhances profitability, enabling airlines to make the most of their existing resources while maintaining a streamlined, cost-effective operation across the A350 family, applauds Airbus. “In the medium term, we want to achieve a global market share of at least 50 percent for large freighters in the A350F category,” a leading Airbus representative told CargoForwarder Global.

Recently, however, Air France-KLM reduced its firm order of formerly eight A350F to six. This decision was taken following a strategic review of its cargo fleet, explains management. The missing capacity of around 220 tons is to be compensated for by the growth of the passenger widebody fleet, which can accommodate containers and pallets in its lower deck compartments.

Austrian-based Diamond Aircraft has taken over financially troubled eVTOL startup, Volocopter. Diamond has been owned since 2017 by the multi-billion-dollar Chinese company, Wanfeng; a supplier of auto parts, aerospace components, and industrial equipment. The publicly listed company confirmed the purchase in a regulatory filing. Yet significant security concerns remain.

Volocopter from Bruchsal in southwest Germany, was just a few meters away from crossing the finish line to begin commercial flight operations when its futuristic project, an electrically powered vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL), ran out of money. Its certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) was repeatedly delayed, despite more than 2,000 successful test flights and an advanced certification process. So, investors lost their patience and were no longer willing to provide additional funding for the company. They included highly solvent enterprises such as the organizer of the Saudi Arabian futuristic city, Neom, Mercedes-Benz, Intel, and the Chinese car manufacturer, Geely. While running out of cash, Volocopter filed a lawsuit with the responsible Karlsruhe District Court on 26DEC24, and has since attempted to tap into new sources of funding to continue developing its eVTOL until it reaches series production. All attempts thus far, however, have not born fruit.

10 million for a startup worth 1.5 billion
At the end of last week, Wanfeng subsidiary, Diamond Aircraft acquired the German newcomer for €10 million. The takeover includes fixed assets such as tools and semi-finished products, patents for aircraft and drone systems, trademark rights, and employee contracts. According to reports, the book value of these assets is approximately €42 million. In a financing round in 2022, the company was valued at €1.5 billion.

The bottom line is that the Volocopter deal arranged by Diamond/Wanfeng is a bargain in terms of its real value. 

Well connected to China’s Communist Party
But who is the mastermind of this Chinese company? It is Ailian Chen, one of China’s most influential entrepreneurs. In her youth, she drove tractors; today, the 67-year-old is a billionaire. Her husband, Wu Liangding, founded the Wanfeng Auto Holding Group. Chen helped build the company and turned it into a global player. Her influence extends to the very top of the Chinese Communist Party. Chen herself was a party representative to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and a deputy to the 12th National People’s Congress. Wanfeng has its own party committee, which is officially committed to strengthening the company’s development and the Chinese Communist Party.

The deal is difficult to stop
Politicians in Berlin should be aware of these connections. The Ministry of Economic Affairs must now review the planned takeover of Volocopter by Wanfeng subsidiary, Diamond Aircraft, to determine if it would give a Chinese company access to advanced European technology. Should there be serious security concerns, the ministry could prohibit the sale. This is questionable, however, because Diamond is the official buyer and though this is a company that belongs to Wanfeng, it is based in EU member state, Austria. Should politicians stop the takeover, Volocopter would bite the dust, which is also not an acceptable solution.

Transfer of technology expected
Hence, the upcoming sale of the startup is one of a series of similar cases. For roughly a decade, Chinese companies have been purposefully acquiring European newcomers operating in the aviation and high-tech sectors, to get hold of their advanced knowhow. Tobias Wahl, insolvency administrator and partner at Anchor law firm, highlighted this aspect in a statement: “Volocopter’s expertise and its highly motivated team have consistently set benchmarks in the eVTOL industry.” He did not mention the threat of technology transfer. Instead, Bin Chen, Chairman of Daimond Aircraft Group, emphasized the European aspect of the takeover probably as a tranquilizer to calm critics: “The future of aviation is shaped by visionaries. Diamond’s broad portfolio is further strengthened by Volocopter, the VoloCity, and future models. Together, we are creating the foundation to further develop sustainable air mobility and strengthen Europe as an innovation hub in aviation.”

Too ambitious, too little money; the concept was ahead of its time
To reassure the remaining employees of the eVTOL company, a statement reads: “The reorganization of Volocopter will broaden its aircraft and business portfolio into the field of electric urban air transportation, while enabling Volocopter to reduce costs, retain a highly motivated and skilled workforce, and focus on achieving its certification milestones by 2025. The VoloCity, along with its next-generation variants and other models, will continue to evolve successfully over the long term, contributing significantly to the sustainable growth of the aviation industry.”

The startup’s VoloCity’s air taxis are conceived to fly emission-free in lower airspace, bypassing traffic jams to connect airports or other transportation hubs with city centers within minutes. This will enable seamless, faster, and more convenient options than those offered by existing transit choices.

Besides transporting people and smaller freight consignments, Volocopter’s future parent company, Diamond Aircraft, also utilizes its aircraft for surveillance purposes to detect forest fires or get an overview of inundations. Various armed forces have purchased Diamond aircraft for reconnaissance missions.

The best-known private owner of a Diamond DA62 is probably the future German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz.

According to an investigation by the newspaper ‘Welt am Sonntag’, Diamond aircraft parts are said to have also reached Russian aircraft manufacturers via China. This would be a criminal offense if finally proven, because aircraft parts stand high on the West’s sanctions list against the Putin regime.