Turkey’s Minister of Transport: We expect a record number of “hot air balloon passengers”

Turkey’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced that 32,445 hot air balloons had taken flight in the first nine months of this year, carrying 700,000 passengers. He noted, “In 2022, we reached an all-time high with 750,000 people flying in hot air balloons. We expect to surpass this number this year.”

Minister Uraloğlu shared the hot air balloon passenger and flight statistics for the January-September period. “As of September, 32,445 balloons have flown, and 700,000 domestic and international passengers have been transported. In 2022, we set a record with 750,000 passengers, and we anticipate exceeding this figure this year” he said.

Hot Air Ballooning Capital: Cappadocia

Uraloğlu mentioned that Turkey had 70 licensed hot air balloon companies, six approved training organizations, and one manufacturing organization. Hot air balloon activities are conducted in seven regions: Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Soğanlı, Çat, Ihlara, Afyonkarahisar, and Antalya. “These companies operate 439 hot air balloons and 712 pilots. Over 80% of all hot air balloon flights take place in Cappadocia. With its climate, wind conditions, and geography that allows for an average of 250 flying days per year, Cappadocia remains at the top. In other regions of the world, the number of flights carried out in one day in Cappadocia is only reached during festivals” Uraloğlu added.