Abstract: An airship handling system is disclosed. The airship handling system of the invention includes a platform which rests upon a circular track, such that the platform may be aligned with the wind in order to facilitate the handling of a suitably equipped airship. The platform incorporates an arrester gear in order to bring the airship to rest at a specified point, a mooring system to hold the airship in position for subsequent handling operations, lifts and transfer track to remove a loaded module from the airship and replace it by a second loaded module, a further lift to transfer modules between the platform and the ground level station for loading and unloading, and an accelerator gear for accelerating the airship to take-off speed within the available length of the platform.