France-based cargo blimp startup Flying Whaleshas outlined plans for an assembly and operation hub in Abu Dhabi, Khaleej Times reported, citing comments made by CEO Sébastien Bougon. The facility would produce airships for distribution globally, with production pegged for 2027. No investment ticket has been disclosed.

But there’s a catch: “If we establish a facility here in the Emirates, it means there will be an agreement between Emirates, France, Canada and Australia and we will never have another factory in any other neighboring Gulf countries or India. The production and operations are exclusively from the Emirates,” Bougon said.

Cargo blimp? The cargo blimps are certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). Each blimp has the ability to transport heavy loads including mobile hospitals, wind blades, and high voltage towers to remote locations and are set to become the first-ever aircraft capable of loading and unloading heavy or bulky cargo during hovering and without need for a landing pad. The 200 meter long airships can haul up to 60 tons of cargo, according to the company’s website. The blimps themselves are not for sale, but will be operated by Flying Whales.

What’s the selling point? The blimps are less costly than helicopters and planes, creating no direct impact on the ground when loading and unloading, and only slightly more expensive than trucks. They also have zero emissions as they are entirely electric.

Looking ahead: Aside from Abu Dhabi, the company is lining up three more hubs in Canada, France, and Australia. The initiative is supported by a consortium of 50 leading aerospace players, including Honeywell, Thales, Safran, and AWS, among others.

Tags: