[AfricanChristian]

What do you think about their potential in remote regions in Africa? Do you think Airships are technically feasible?African roads are either in terrible shape or non-existent and few African governments have either the resources or could secure financing to bridge the infrastructure deficit.

If Airships prove to be a feasible low cost alternative to road transport, they could boost commerce in Africa. It is currently cheaper to ship a container from China to Lagos (Nigeria) than from Lagos (Nigeria) to Abuja (Nigeria) by road.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

As the article mentions, there are vast areas of Canada with no roads. The main potential for airships is to service oil & gas or mineral exploration camps in remote areas. It can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to put a road through to these areas — if that were even allowed. Roads are not wanted in many areas, for wilderness preservation. Airships could save money, where the alternative is a temporary road. Even ice roads are expensive; when one considers that they have to be built anew every year.

I don't know what the potential is for Africa. If there are permanent roads, it might be cheaper (in most instances) to fix them up. Of course, that depends on the amount of traffic, especially freight, that the roads carry. Roads tend to have a very high fixed cost, and lower variable costs. Anywhere that cargo planes are used, is a likely contender for airships.