The number of tourists using hot air balloons in seven regions in Turkey broke the 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, Turkey has the opportunity for balloon flights in seven regions. Within this scope, 71 enterprises conduct flights with 441 balloons. In the valleys of Nevşehir-Kapadokya, Denizli-Pamukkale, Kayseri-Soğanlı, Nevşehir-Çat, Antalya-Aspendos, Aksaray-Ihlara, and Afyonkarahisar-Frig, 43,283 hot air balloon flights were made last year.

As a result, the number of serviced tourists increased by 25% from the previous year, reaching 933,195.

Thus, the all-time record for the number of hot air balloon passengers was broken. In Turkey, 747,203 tourists were served with 431 balloons in 2023. NEW REGIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION The Directorate General also evaluates the requests received to conduct balloon flights in new regions. Inspection activities are carried out in the seven regions to ensure that balloon flights are conducted safely. In 2024, unscheduled alcohol and psychoactive substance checks were conducted on 348 balloon pilots. In addition, 27 pre-flight checks were performed, and 585 control flights were carried out. EXPORTED FROM TURKEY While efforts are made to fully acquire the aircraft certification capability and establish the necessary infrastructure, certification processes are now being carried out domestically.

In this regard, the HÜRKUŞ Training Aircraft was certified, and the first domestic design hot air balloon received type certification.

Certification activities for parts of domestically produced and national aircraft, including the Gökbey Helicopter, are also being conducted in many fields. Hot air balloon production has also started in Turkey. In this context, hot air balloon exports were made to Rwanda, Ghana, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Qatar, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Jordan. CERTIFIED PILOTS PROVIDING SERVICES The number of balloon technical personnel increased by 8.5% last year, rising from 654 to 710. By the end of last year in Turkey, 387 balloon pilots provided services with certification.