Türkiye records 308,000 hot air balloon passengers in first half
A total of 308,000 passengers traveled on 13,000 hot air balloon flights across Türkiye in the first half of the year, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu has said, citing data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM).
Uraloğlu said Türkiye ranks among the world’s leading destinations for hot air balloon operations in terms of both traffic volume and the number of flying days. He noted that 71 hot air balloon operators are currently licensed by SHGM, while six approved institutions provide training for the sector.
Balloon flights are conducted in destinations including Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Soğanlı, Çat, Ihlara, Şanlıurfa-Göbeklitepe, Afyonkarahisar and Antalya, according to the minister.
Türkiye hosted 915,000 domestic and international passengers on 40,000 balloon flights in 2025, Uraloğlu said.
