The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly passed a consent agenda item to support Straightline Aviation Alaska’s plan that would implement and utilize hybrid airships in Kenai.
Assembly Vice President Brent Johnson, “These are aerodynamically designed airships using aerospace technology with no rigid structure and filled with noncombustible helium. We’re talking about airships that are using lighter than air gas. Their hybrid airships will have the ability to carry freight as low as sizeable cargo loads to isolated and rural areas within the Borough which would normally require an existing or new infrastructure in which to land. Section 1 says the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly strongly supports Straightline The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly strongly supports Straightline Aviation of Alaska’s efforts to operate Straightline Aviation Hybrid Airships in Kenai, Alaska. Copies of the resolution shall be sent to the CEO of Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, and the cities of Soldotna, Homer, Kenai and Seward. That’s on the consent agenda. There was a little bit of favorable discussion on it. These airships have special capabilities. The gentlemen who is developing this has some land near the mouth of the Kenai River. It’s sort of a prototype next generation technology and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
In addition to freight, Hybrid Airships can carry passengers. Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce says that this could help industries such as tourism and commercial fishing, and accommodate the Borough’s Incident Management Team during a disaster. With logistical challenges for remote construction projects, its affordability could open up many projects within the Borough. The hybrid airships also provide significant reductions in fuel consumption and are an environmentally safe form of transportation to meet the state’s challenges.
Resolution 2021-037 passed at the most recent Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting.