18 July 2004: Visit of airship "Yokoso! Japan" at historic Malmi Airport a huge success

The viewing balconies and terraces of historic Malmi Airport were swarming with spectators as the Zeppelin "Yokoso! Japan" arrived. (Photo: Seppo Sipilä)

18 July 2004

"Yokoso! Japan" will return to Malmi Airport on Thursday 22 July

The Zeppelin NT airship "Yokoso! Japan" (Welcome to Japan) arrived in sunny weather to Helsinki-Malmi Airport in front of several thousands of happy spectators on Sunday 18 July at 3:35 pm. The visit of the 75-meter-long biggest flying Zeppelin in the world was a huge success and made national TV news as whole families poured in to see the rare sight. Even some highest-level state leadership was observed witnessing the visit.

The landing of a Zeppelin airship in the capital was the first of its kind. The last time an airship manufactured by the legendary Zeppelin company tried to land in Helsinki was on 24 September 1930, when the enormous 236-meter-long "Graf Zeppelin" tried landing on the fields at Viikki. That time the weather conditions prevented the landing.

In the evening, "Yokoso! Japan" has moved from Malmi to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport for routine engine maintenance and more helium. After a few days its journey will continue to Russia, where it will fly via St. Petersburg over Siberia to Japan.

More information:
http://www.hotelbravo.ch/ja101z/
http://www.zeppelin.de/E/konzern/06zepplin.html

Pictures of the visit:
http://www.mik.fi/gallery/zeppelin
http://www.fsnordic.net/discussion/index.php?board=58;action=display;threadid=26574
http://www.saunalahti.fi/porttelo/yokoso
http://vacc.fi/df/viewtopic.php?p=19268#19268 (Transfer flight from Malmi to Helsinki-Vantaa)