91Èȱ¬

Six large electric aircraft could potentially be used to fly passengers and freight on Scottish regional air routes.

Bedford-based Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) has been looking at how its Airlander 10 transport could operate from sites in Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles and the Highlands.

Full-scale production of the part-plane, part-airship could begin by the end of this decade, and there is a plan to reserve six of the first aircraft manufactured use by for Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership (Hitrans).

A company would need to be found to operate the aircraft.

The aircraft, which combines airship and fixed-wing aircraft technology, could carry 100 passengers or 10 tonnes of freight.

A production site has been identified at Carcroft Common in South Yorkshire.

A study into the use of Airlanders in the Highlands and Islands was done last year, and full business case for commercial operations is in development.

Tom Grundy, of HAV, said: "This decade, Airlander 10 can help open up new commercial opportunities and access to tourism, making it easier to see friends and family, and improve access to vital public services."

Ranald Robertson, of Hitrans, added: "We are committing resources and effort to work with even greater focus with HAV to produce a compelling business case, that will attract the commercial interest and investment required."