Airline industry heavyweight joins Hybrid Air Vehicles’ advisory board

Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV), the organisation behind the innovative Airlander aircraft, has announced the appointment of Tony Anderson to its advisory board. Tony Anderson, celebrated for his transformative role as Marketing Director of the European low-cost airline easyJet, brings an extraordinary depth of experience and expertise to HAV.

Tony Anderson joined easyJet as its third employee, six months prior to the airline’s inaugural flight. Working closely with the airline’s founder, he played a crucial role in developing and launching one of Europe’s most recognisable travel brands.

Following his success at easyJet, Tony became the Marketing Director of easyGroup, where he contributed to the development and launch of new businesses under the easy brand. Since 2017, Tony has served as a consultant and advisor to easyGroup and easyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

Tony’s arrival at HAV comes on the heels of an exciting and successful year. During this period, HAV announced the site of its production facility for the Airlander 10 at Carcroft Common in Doncaster, UK a move set to create 1,200 highly skilled jobs in the region. Additionally, HAV has formally applied for Type Certification with the UK Civil Aviation Authority, marking a significant milestone in its journey.

Hybrid Air Vehicles has this year surpassed £1.4 billion of reservations for Airlander 10, with reservations from prominent names such as Air Nostrum Group, Europe’s largest regional airline, and eco-tourism provider Grands Espaces.

With Tony’s strategic vision and industry expertise, HAV will continue to move from strength-to-strength as it work towards Airlander 10’s entry into service, delivering aircraft to its customers capable of reducing emissions by up to 90% – and with zero emissions by the end of decade.

Tony Anderson commented on his new role, “I’ve always believed the importance of timing is underestimated as a contributory factor in commercial success. In 1995, I was fortunate to be a part of the team launching easyJet when Europe’s skies were opening up to competition and a young entrepreneur called Stelios took the bold decision to launch the world’s first airline to sell 100% to the public.

“Today is also a hugely exciting time in aviation, underlying demand for air transport of both goods and passengers continues to grow. At the same time sustainability has become a global imperative that requires aviation and its stakeholders to ‘rethink the skies’.

“I’m convinced of two things: firstly, that the next 5-10 years will be a period where new approaches and technologies are tested, certified and become established. Secondly that Hybrid Air Vehicles with its real-world experience of having built and tested Airlander, an operating aircraft, and having embarked on the process of formal certification will be a part of this emerging ecosystem. I’m delighted to have the opportunity to join and support Tom and the team at Hybrid Air Vehicles on this exciting journey.”

Tom Grundy, CEO of Hybrid Air Vehicles, added, “We are thrilled to welcome Tony to our advisory board. His experience at easyJet, bringing a disruptive new idea to market, will be invaluable as we bring a new type of aircraft to our skies. Tony’s insights and strategic vision will be instrumental in guiding HAV through the next phase of our growth and development, especially within our marketing and sales function.”

“We’re committed to revolutionising what is currently possible in air transport with Airlander offering a sustainable and efficient solution for both passenger and cargo transport. Tony’s appointment marks a significant step forward in our mission to rethink the skies.”