BRITTANY Ferries is exploring the potential for a new high-speed passenger 'seaglider' which could be skimming over the English Channel by 2028.

The French shipping company, which operates services from Poole Harbour, has signed a letter of intent with a US firm which is developing the all-electric vehicle.

With hydrofoils and a top speed of 180mph it has the potential to drastically reduce Channel crossing times.

Seagliders, under development by Boston-based REGENT (Regional Electric Ground Effect Nautical Transport), are all electric, wing-in ground effect vehicles.

They work by harnessing the cushion created by high pressure air trapped between wings and the ground or water while flying at low altitude.

Seagliders have been described as akin to hovercraft with wings, rather than a skirt.

Brittany Ferries' Frederic Pouget, ports and operations director, said: "Seaglider is an attractive and exciting concept and we look forward to working with REGENT in the months and years to come.

"We are particularly pleased to contribute now because it means we can bring real-world challenges and potential applications into the company’s thinking at an early stage.

"We hope this may help bring commercial success in the years that follow.

"Who knows – this could be the birth of ferries that fly across the Channel."

Brittany Ferries' letter of intent could see seagliders with a 50-150 passenger capacity sailing between the UK and France by 2028.

REGENT expects the first commercial passengers to travel on smaller electric craft by 2025.

A Brittany Ferries spokesman said: "Seagliders combine the convenience of passenger ferries with the comfort of hydrofoils, the aerodynamic efficiency of hovercraft and the speed of aircraft.

"With the potential to connect existing ferry ports, the craft are expected to fly at speeds of up to 180 mph - six times faster than conventional ferries - with a battery-powered range of 180 miles.

"The voyage from Portsmouth to Cherbourg, for example, could be covered in as little as 40 minutes.

"Following departure from port, the craft rises on foils insulating passengers from wave discomfort. In open waters, it takes off, riding the air cushion all the way to its destination.

"Wing-mounted propellers provide the thrust to take to the air at low speeds, while electric motors regulate air flow over wings while riding the air cushion."

Power will come from batteries rather than fossil fuel.

Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and chief executive officer of REGENT, said: "We are excited to partner with Brittany Ferries to bring the future of maritime transportation to market.

"Brittany Ferries offers world-class operational experience which will help REGENT ensure that our seagliders will be the most convenient and comfortable form of cross-Channel travel.”