Summer seeems to have (finally) arrived in London, and with it the compulsion for everyone to leave. Though the locals go potty for the sun (disrobing in public and soforth), they seem to enjoy it more elsewhere and take off as soon (and as often) as they can.
The expansion of low-cost airlines has made this easier to do in recent years, though this has become more complicated of late due to the increase in oil prices and the general inconvenience in flying.
To explain the second reason in greater detail, I shall provide the example of Stanstead airport, which is 45 minutes from London on a train that costs £25 for a return ticket. This added cost and time consideration can easily outweigh the attraction of a £15 fare to Malaga, particularly if the fare suddenly doubles due to oil prices.
For the more discerning flyer, the more salubrious airlines are becoming less attractive as well, thanks to such inconveniences as T5 and the prospective inrease in airline taxes.
So what is the Barmy Army to do? In fact, what are any of us who are used to the illusion of eternal low-cost air-fares? Well, where the English have a problem, the Germans often have an answer...
This time its in the form of Zeppelins. Thats right, remember those air-ships that burst into flame to give awesome rock-bands inspiration for their names? Or perhaps you may remember that great scene from Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade in which Indy pretends to be a ticket collector on a passenger Zeppelin so as to throw a Nazi overboard?
That's right, Zeppelins appear to be back as a viable travel alternative and why the hell not? Apparently they can travel at 200 kilometres an hour, which is pretty decent indeed and also have the benefits of a lower environmental impact and being able to take-off and land anywhere.
There are, obviously, dangers involved though. These include burning up into massive balls of fire, stray eagles and large winds. Just the other week a French Balloonist (honestly, don't they have anything better to do with themselves?) missed out on some ballooning record when his 'aircraft' blew away. Probably not what you are after when you have a trip to the coast planned.
Still, this is definitely something worth looking into if it can be done to a much smaller scale. I have images of airborn bumper cars in my mind, with very little impact. After all, the Empire State Building was originally designed with Zeppelin landing platforms, which brings me to another benefit; it would be hard to bring down a skyscraper by smashing a balloon into it.
Are Zeppelins the way of the future then? Perhaps all they need is some Hollywood backing (something similar to what the Prius has received would be handy) and some brave or disgruntled passengers, what better place to start looking than T5?
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