The world’s first anti-haze airships took off this morning, as Singapore takes a more proactive approach to tackle the haze problem within its territorial boundaries. The three airships, each costing $14 million dollars will form a "triangle of purity" over Singapore’s airspace.

Designed by Singapore Technologies, each is armed with an air purification system that compacts haze particles into sand, which will be used in reclamation works around Singapore’s borders. The airships are reportedly able to purify up to 1,000 cubic metres of city air an hour, and can go on for a decade without servicing.

The airships are also used as "floating billboards", wherein the lights are powered by solar energy.

Speaking at the launch of the airships was Minister of Environment Ms. Genna Lim, said that this was a huge leap forward not just for Singapore, but for the rest of the world in terms of sustainability.

“The airships symbolise Singapore’s commitment to a cleaner, better world. If [they] prove to be successful, we will be exporting them around the world to help other countries deal with similar air pollution problems.”

Environment ministries in China and the US have both expressed interest in acquiring fleets of airships for their own countries. Chinese Minister of Environment Yang Zikang tweeted last month that he was “very excited”, but would have to wait and observe the airships’ performance in the upcoming months.

At press time, despite the PSI in neighboring countries reaching a high of 300, the air quality in Singapore remained at healthy range (PSI: 43).