Goodyear Isn’t the Only Blimp on the Map

The blimp business is booming. There are about a dozen corporate dirigibles flying in the United States, and three belong to Goodyear. The Lightship Group of Orlando, Fla., handles the leasing and operation of six blimps and its client list includes Budweiser, Blockbuster and Brut men’s cologne. Another player is American Blimp Corp., based in Hillsboro, Ohio, which can carry television equipment inside and illuminates from inside, lighting up like a light bulb at night. Goodyear blimps aren’t in danger of extinction. They cover about 100 television events a year and take about 16,000 passengers on short rides.