A new airship from the Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei (DZR) has taken off on its maiden flight in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. The ninth DZR model will be part of a fleet of three zeppelins operating over Germany, according to DZR Managing Director Eckhard Breuer. The new zeppelin is currently flying with a provisional certificate, which prohibits passenger operations until final approval from the Federal Aviation Office.
The production of the approximately €16 million airship took three years and involved over 100 suppliers. The German Aerospace Center (DZR) expects the new zeppelin to have a lifespan of approximately 25 years. A special feature is the partnership with Europa-Park, whose logo is emblazoned on both sides of the airship. The zeppelin will be visible above the theme park from July 11 to 14.
The helium-filled New Technology (NT) Zeppelins have been transporting passengers on Lake Constance since 2001 and are also in operation in other German regions such as the Ruhr area, Munich, and Frankfurt. The new Zeppelin is intended to replace an older Lake Constance airship, which will be permanently stationed at the new Zeppelin base in Essen/Mühlheim. With this fleet expansion, the DZR is aiming to strengthen its presence in tourism and promotional air traffic over Germany.
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