The Goodyear airship will fly over Luxembourg

The famous Goodyear Blimp advertising airship is continuing its European tour following its appearance at the legendary Le Mans race. On Tuesday, the airship made a stop in Metz, France, where the manufacturer had planned a presentation for journalists, including the opportunity to take a short flight. However, due to adverse weather conditions, the event had to be postponed until Wednesday morning. 

Later this afternoon, the aircraft is due to continue its route, which will take it over Luxembourg. However, company representatives have warned that the schedule and exact flight path may be subject to change depending on weather conditions. Anyone wishing to see the aircraft in the sky can track its movements on the Flightradar platform using the registration number D-LZFN.

The airship, built in partnership with the German company Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH, is 75 metres long and 17.4 metres high. The airship’s envelope is filled with helium, enabling it to reach speeds of up to 125 kilometres per hour and remain airborne continuously for up to 24 hours. There are currently four such Goodyear airships in operation worldwide, three of which are based in the US, whilst one operates in Europe. The airship is mainly used as an advertising platform at major sporting events, although its technical specifications allow it to carry up to 12 passengers.

The history of these aircraft began in 1917, when the first prototype was tested in Chicago. From 1955 onwards, the roles of airships expanded: they began to serve as aerial relay stations for live television broadcasts and as platforms for aerial photography. One of the most iconic events in the US involving an airship was the 1967 Super Bowl, and in 1973 the airship made its European debut at the Le Mans races. 

Although the missions were primarily of a sporting and promotional nature, Goodyear airships were also used in emergency situations. For example, in 1989, the Columbia, which was covering the final series of the US Baseball Championship in San Francisco, found itself in the path of a powerful earthquake. The crew quickly switched to coordinating the emergency services, acting as an aerial observation post for the ground teams.