How Many Blimps Are There? | The Sun

The Sun

• Sun Club
• News
• Sport
• Fabulous
• TV
• Showbiz
• Money
• Travel
• Health
• Motors
• Tech
• Royals
• Wellness
• Dear Deidre
• Puzzles
• Betting
• Shopping
• Topics A-Z
• More

More from The Sun

• Newsletters
• Dream Team
• Sun Bingo
• Sun Jobs
• Sun Savers
• £9.50 Hols
• The Sun Digital Newspaper
• Fabulous Clothing

• UK News
• World News
• Health News
• Politics
• Opinion

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

BLIMPS were a common appearance in the sky 100 years ago – but not anymore.

Why have they died out, and how many are there in the world now? Here’s all you need to know…

Sign up for The Sun newsletter

Thank you!

Email address

Please provide a valid email.

Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy

You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email.

How many blimps are there in the world? 

In 2021 there are roughly 25 blimps still in existence and only half of them are still in use.

Advertisement

So if you happen to see one floating above you, it’s a rare sight.

What exactly are blimps?

A blimp is a type of airship which relies on the pressure of lifting gas, like helium or hydrogen, to keep it in the air.

The first blimp was created in 1852 – and until 1937 they were used as a mode of transportation for fee paying passengers.

They were also used for surveillance purposes during World War II.

Nowadays they are mainly used for advertising.

Why are blimps no longer used?

The main reasons that blimps are no longer used is because of the huge cost it takes to build and run.

The ships need a large amount of helium – meaning one trip could cost £70,000.

And it takes over 400 hours of training for pilots to be prepared to drive a blimp.

Advertisement

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, only 128 people in the the entirety of the United States are qualified to fly airships.

Another reason there are so few blimps these days is because of the invention of drones.

Blimps used to be used to capture images or footage from above – which can now be done with drones.

How much does a blimp cost?

The rough price for a large certified blimp is £1-2million.

Most read in News

STRICKEN FANATIC

Iran’s missing new Supreme Leader is on life support after being maimed

KIDNAP TERROR

Brit couple arrested over brazen attempted kidnap on Spanish holiday island

DEADLY FALL

Tourist, 28, dies after plunging down cliff while trying to grab his glasses

PLANE TRAGEDY

Brit-born publishing heir dies in horror plane crash alongside pregnant wife

What are the most famous blimps?

• Hindenburg
• Graf Zeppelin
• Flying Aircraft Carriers
• The First Zeppelins
• The World’s First Airline
• The Goodyear Blimp

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU MORE FOR YOU

MORE FROM THE SUN

‘TIME CAPSULE’ TOWN

Lost medieval city that vanished without a trace is uncovered in forest

THE town lays near the border of Pomerania and Neumark - an area that was a historically contested region between Germany and Poland

News Breaking

PLANE TRAGEDY

Brit-born publishing heir dies in horror plane crash alongside pregnant wife

A DOCTOR and a footballer were also among the victims after a plane went down in Guatemala.

News

CASTLE CHAOS

Dramatic moment tourists flee as historic castle collapses & crashes to ground

A SECTION of the fortress in central Spain collapsed on Saturday morning in front of terrified onlookers.

News

LAST FLICK

Cinema faces closure after 115 years as celebs campaign to save 'pillar'

ONE of the oldest independent cinemas in the UK is facing closure after showing films for more than 115 years.

News