An Alternative To Airplanes Could Be Closer Than You Think

June 7, 2008 · by Scott

Zeppelin NT

A week ago, I wrote about 4 niches affected by gas prices that you never thought of. Staying outside the box on the oil crisis, I have a fifth. Last month Germany launched a new zeppelin, named the Zeppelin NT, 71 years after the Hindenburg crash. Environmentalists are jumping on this bandwagon, touting it’s fuel efficiency, quietness and general ease of takeoffs and landings (not needing a runway). With the green craze in full swing, add this to the list of upcoming trends.

There are two directions this can go:

The zeppelin, after solving issues such as small carrying capacity and relatively slow speed (for flight), could become an actual alternative to airplanes. Of course, this won’t happen anytime soon (likely not at all). But that’s how a trend begins, and is the perfect time to take advantage of it.
The zeppelin doesn’t take off as an actual alternative to airplanes, but instead generates a new booming market for luxury flying and tourism (most likely).

It’s a win-win for the trendwatching domainer. Add on top of that the whole Steampunk trend (perhaps a future post), the zeppelin is ready to take off.

Pun intended.

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