Groupe ADP subsidiary ADP Ingénierie has signed a memorandum of understanding with Flying Whales, which is developing airships to carry loads up to 60 tonnes.

Designed to meet the needs of the Office National des Forêts, the French Public Forest Office to extract wood in hard-to-reach areas, the airship is designed to overcome logistics issues in landlocked areas.

The airship is designed to overcome ground constraints for the point-to-point transport of heavy or bulky loads with a small environmental footprint.

From 2017, ADP Ingénierie has advised Flying Whales on establishing operating bases in the Auvergne Rhône Alpes region.

ADP Ingénierie has supported and managed projects for the establishment and operation of airport platforms and can contribute to the Flying Whales bases deployment project.

Flying Whales wants to benefit from ADP Ingénierie’s expertise in order to identify and consider the technical, regulatory, environmental and societal constraints for its bases, but also on the conversion and operation of existing airport platforms.

The deal was signed at the Paris Air Show, and in addition, Groupe ADP plans to acquire an equity stake in Flying Whales.