Record number of tourists in hot air balloon
The number of tourists using hot air balloons in seven regions in Turkey broke a record last year, reaching 933,195.
According to the 2024 Activity Report of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, seven regions in Turkey offer balloon flight opportunities, with 71 businesses conducting flights with 441 balloons. In Nevşehir-Cappadocia, Denizli-Pamukkale, Kayseri-Soğanlı, Nevşehir-Çat, Antalya-Aspendos, Aksaray-Ihlara, and Afyonkarahisar-Frig valleys, 43,283 hot air balloon flights were made last year.
As a result, the number of tourists served increased by 25% compared to the previous year, reaching 933,195.
This broke the all-time record for the number of passengers in hot air balloons. In Turkey, 747,203 tourists were served by 431 balloons in 2023. NEW REGIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION The Directorate General is also considering requests to conduct balloon flights in new regions. Inspections are carried out in the seven regions by the institution to ensure the safe operation of balloon flights. In 2024, 348 balloon pilots were tested for alcohol and psychoactive substances without prior notice. Additionally, 27 pre-flight checks and 585 inspection flights were conducted.
EXPORTS FROM TURKEY Furthermore, while efforts are being made to achieve full aircraft certification capability and establish the necessary infrastructure, certification procedures are now carried out domestically. The HÜRKUŞ Training Aircraft received certification, and the first domestic design hot air balloon was granted type certification.
Certification activities for parts of domestically and nationally produced aircraft are also ongoing, alongside the Gökbey Helicopter. Production of hot air balloons has also begun in Turkey, with exports to Rwanda, Ghana, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Qatar, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Jordan.
LICENSED PILOTS PROVIDE SERVICES The number of balloon technical personnel increased by 8.5% last year, rising from 654 to 710. As of last year, 387 licensed balloon pilots provided services in Turkey.
