Global logistics and freight industry players explore use of heavy-lift Airlander

25.03.2025

Kuehne+Nagel and Oregon emergency management office join network to explore use of larger Airlander variants

• Global logistics and freight industry players join Airlander Futures Network to contribute industry insights to guide larger Airlander variant design and specification.
• World-leading logistics provider, Kuehne+Nagel, will participate to explore the use of Airlander aircraft in their network.
• Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management has joined the network to feed in their needs for the future of disaster relief.
• Future Airlander variants can scale to provide lift capability of up to 200 tonnes.

Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd (HAV), a UK-based leader in sustainable aircraft technology, has today launched the Airlander Futures Network – an initiative to bring together all parties interested in future developments of the Airlander family.

Kuehne+Nagel, one of the world’s leading logistics providers with offices in over 100 countries, has joined the network to explore the use of future Airlander variants in their logistics ecosystem, looking specifically at Airlander’s potential to fill the gap between fast, carbon-intensive air freight and cheap but slow surface transport.

The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management joins the network today to provide expertise and input on the role larger Airlander aircraft could play in humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Oregon is a leader in disaster relief planning, principally because of the threat to the state from Cascadia Subduction Zone. With the requirement for prepared runways removed and the ability to carry large payloads for days at a time, future Airlander aircraft could provide a new solution for disaster relief. 

The Airlander Futures Network is a group that allows the logistics, freight, and other key markets to come together over shared business needs. These global players will contribute their market expertise and industry insight to drive forward the design and specification of future Airlander aircraft. The Airlander Futures Network builds on learnings from what was the Airlander 50 Development Partner Programme.

Airlander 10, HAV’s first aircraft to market, will be capable of delivering 100+ seat passenger mobility, or a ten-tonne payload of freight transportation, or a combination of the two. Airlander 10 already has customers, such as leading European regional airline Air Nostrum Group and eco-tourism brand Grands Espaces. Following this the Airlander design scales easily into larger variants that could carry up to 200 tonnes. Logistics, freight, and disaster relief are key markets for the future Airlander aircraft. Having organisations at the cutting edge of their field joining the Airlander Futures Network means the aircraft will be delivered to the design and specification that will allow them to carry out their important work efficiently and cost effectively.

About Kuehne+Nagel

With over 80,000 employees at almost 1,300 sites in close to 100 countries, the Kuehne+Nagel Group is one of the world’s leading logistics providers. Headquartered in Switzerland, Kuehne+Nagel is listed in the Swiss blue-chip stock market index, the SMI. The Group is the global number one in air and sea logistics and has strong market positions in road and contract logistics.

Kuehne+Nagel is the logistics partner of choice for 400,000 customers worldwide. Using its global network, logistics expertise and data-based insights, the Group provides end-to-end supply chain solutions for global companies and industries. As a member of the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), Kuehne+Nagel is committed to sustainable logistics by reducing its own environmental footprint and by supporting its customers with low-carbon logistics solutions.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Resilience and Emergency Management

ODHS holds four distinct roles through its Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, all of which reduce the impact of disasters on people:

• Mass care: Provides early-stage emergency support, including evacuation, hydration, feeding, sheltering, reunification, and supply distribution.
• Social services recovery: Assists survivors and social service agencies in overcoming recovery barriers and returning to normal operations.
• Continuity of operations: Ensuring communities’ ongoing access to ODHS services. This includes making sure our offices are open and essential services continue.
• Legislatively directed resilience work: Warming, cooling and cleaner air shelters; water distribution and resilience hubs. The Legislature made OREM the lead for this type of work to help people. 

Across all these roles, ODHS develops and relies on partnerships and coordination with public and private organizations at the local and regional levels and with our state and Tribal Nation partners.