The German company, Zeppelin NT airships, that earlier this month announced its airship would in July begin Zeppelin air tours over London, Thursday announced that “the U.S. market is opened for the Zeppelin NT.” While something may have been lost in translation, “the type certification for the Zeppelin NT has been successfully completed,” according to ZLT Zeppelin, which provides a basis for the start of Zeppelin NT operations in the U.S. Airship Ventures (also involved in the Zeppelin air tours in London) is planning to expand its fleet in the U.S., seeing a market for a “further two or three” airships. While concerned citizens may not be relaxed by the wording that “the Zeppelin NT has already conquered Germany and Japan,” the statement refers to the airship’s ability to perform as a passenger carrier as well as providing service in “various special missions” in those markets.
The modern airships enjoy technical improvements that provide reduced weight, increased lift and double the airframe life of earlier designs, according to the company. They carry up to 12 passengers per flight in a 35-foot window-seat-only cabin and have gathered 13,500 flight hours and have carried more than 75,000 passengers since 2001.
