Press Release
June 25, 2007 ZEPPELIN LUFTSCHIFFTECHNIK OPTIONS ZEPPELIN NT TO AIRSHIP VENTURES Zeppelin Airships Return to the US pdf
June 25, 2007 ZEPPELIN LUFTSCHIFFTECHNIK RESERVIERT ZEPPELIN NT FÜR AIRSHIP VENTURES Zeppelin Luftschiffe kehren in die USA zurück pdf
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ZEPPELIN LUFTSCHIFFTECHNIK OPTIONS ZEPPELIN NT TO AIRSHIP VENTURES
Zeppelin Airships Return to the US
Friedrichshafen, Germany and Los Gatos, California — June 26, 2007 —
Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik (ZLT) and Airship Ventures today announced that
Zeppelin's fourth Zeppelin NT07, currently under construction in Friedrichshafen,
has been optioned by California based Airship Ventures, Inc. It is projected to
arrive in the US in the second quarter of 2008.
Airship Ventures Inc, a corporation formed to bring passenger Zeppelin
operations to the US, intends to conduct exclusive flight-seeing tours as well as
carry scientific and other special mission payloads.
Thomas Brandt, CEO of ZLT and Michael Schieschke COO of ZLT, announcing
the agreement, said "We had previously identified the San Francisco Bay Area
as a highly promising location in the world for a Zeppelin to operate. And in
Airship Ventures, we are proud to find the partner that has taken the step into the
optioning of the airship to bring this historic opportunity closer to realization."
The Zeppelin NT07 airship, carrying up to 12 passengers, will be the largest
airship flying in the US. At 246 feet in length, it is more than 50ft longer than the
largest blimp. Using the inert gas helium for lift, and vectored thrust engines for
flight, the Zeppelin NT has been flying with an unparalleled safety record in
Germany, Japan and South Africa since 2001.
Brian Hall, President of Airship Ventures commented "We are excited to be
working with Zeppelin to bring this unique vehicle and its breathtaking passenger
experiences to the US. The San Francisco Bay Area has a rich history involving
airships in such locations as Treasure Island and Moffett Field and it will seem
particularly appropriate to have the Zeppelin operating here."
The NT07 airships have been commercially operated since 2001 carrying more
than 65,000 passengers and have flown for over 10,000 flight hours to date. It
has also performed numerous special missions such as traffic control during the
2006 FIFA Soccer World Championship, diamond exploration on behalf of
DeBeers in Southern Africa, and is currently the largest ever flying art project,
bearing the colorful and unique artwork of Stefan Szczesny in support of an
international art festival on Mainau Island, Lake Constance, Germany.
Alexandra Hall, CEO of Airship Ventures said "The Zeppelin is such a well
thought out and engineered vehicle. It is uniquely suited to both leisure
operations and as a platform for conducting experiments. I'm particularly excited
about the range of science and industry partnerships that this will enable. The
view from the airship will be magical, but then it will be flying over some of the
most innovative and exciting landscape in the country!"
ABOUT ZEPPELIN LUFTSCHIFFTECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG, headquartered in historic
Friedrichshafen, Germany, develops, manufactures and markets the Zeppelin
NT, a modern lighter than air multi-purpose airship. There are three Zeppelin NT
airships currently operating in the world — one in Japan, one in South Africa, and
one in Germany. In partnership with Deutsche Zeppelin Reederei, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik, a Zeppelin NT07 has flown
commercial air tours, advertising, and scientific missions throughout Europe
since 1997.
ABOUT AIRSHIP VENTURES, INC.
Airship Ventures Inc., founded 2007 in Los Gatos, California, is a privately owned corporation formed with the initial objective of bringing a Zeppelin NT07 airship to the US for commercial air tours, scientific payloads, media and advertising operations.
Airship Ventures is a trademark of Airship Ventures, Inc. Zeppelin is a trademark of Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co KG. All other product and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Zeppelin Contact:
Kathrin Runge
Press Relations
k.runge at zeppelin-nt dot de
+49-7541-5900-547
Airship Ventures Contact:
Alexandra Hall
CEO
pr at airshipventures dot com
+1-408-317-4310