Monday, October 7, 2024 Türkiye continues to dominate the global hot air balloon industry, with 32,445 flights and over 700,000 domestic and foreign passengers from January to September, according to the country’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. Home to the world’s largest commercial hot air balloon operation, Türkiye boasts 70 licensed balloon businesses and six approved training organizations. These businesses operate a fleet of 439 hot air balloons and employ 712 pilots.
Balloon rides are available in seven key regions: Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Soğanlı, Çat, Ihlara, Afyonkarahisar, and Antalya. Cappadocia leads the industry, accounting for more than 80% of Türkiye’s balloon flights. With its favorable climate and geography, Cappadocia offers flights on up to 250 days per year, surpassing balloon festivals in other parts of the world in terms of daily flights.
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