Hot air balloons take to the skies during a test flight over Hyderabad on Wednesday (January 14, 2026), ahead of the upcoming Hot Air Balloon Festival to be held from January 16 to 18 | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
As two hot air balloons gently rise from the ground outside Jalamandali Park in Hyderabad’s Gandipet, much of the work that makes the flight possible remains invisible to passengers. Mahesh, the pilot who flew one of the two balloons on Wednesday morning (January 14, 2026), explained in detail how hot air balloons are operated, maintained and regulated and highlighted the safety standards that govern such flights.
Fuel for 2 hours is transported for 1 hour of flight
The core of the balloon’s operation is its LPG cylinders. Each balloon usually carries four large cylinders, two of about 80 liters and another two of about 60 liters. “Aviation norms require pilots to carry at least twice the fuel required for the planned flight duration. In India, a standard balloon flight takes about one hour, which means that there is always enough fuel in the air for at least two hours,” he added.
The hot air balloon requires four LPG cylinders | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Inspection of hot air balloon components
The basket used for the flight is manufactured in Spain by Ultramagic, one of the world-renowned balloon manufacturers. Mr. Mahesh explained that balloons and all their components are subjected to several layers of inspection, including daily inspections, post-flight inspections and annual inspections. Even parts such as fuel lines must be regularly inspected and replaced at fixed intervals, regardless of whether they appear to be in good condition.
Two burners
The balloon is equipped with two burners that work similar to engines. “While one burner is sufficient to keep the balloon aloft for most of the flight, the other burner is used only when additional power is needed, such as during take-off or sudden changes in wind conditions,” added Mahesh.
While one burner is sufficient to keep the hot air balloon in the air, the second burner is used when additional power is needed | Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR
Safety equipment
Safety equipment is mandatory on board. Each balloon carries fire extinguishers to deal with small fires, an aviation safety certified first aid kit and a fall line of about 50 meters. A drop line allows ground personnel to maintain control if the balloon begins to drift faster than expected during landing. Mahesh noted that each balloon requires a team of nearly 20 people to handle ground operations, technical inspections, permits and passenger safety.
All hot air balloons used for commercial flying in India are registered aircraft. Mr. Mahesh said each balloon has a registration number and is operated under the supervision of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Maintenance is carried out by DGCA certified aircraft maintenance engineers and pilots are also required to hold a DGCA licence.
Sharing his career journey, Mr. Mahesh said he has been flying balloons for the past two years but has been in the industry for almost 18 years. He obtained his pilot’s license in Europe, trained in Slovenia before returning to India to complete the regulatory process required to fly commercially.
“Unlike fixed-wing aviation, logging flight hours is more difficult with balloons. Flights are usually limited to about one hour per day and operations are heavily dependent on weather conditions. In India, ballooning is usually only possible for six to seven months of the year. Winters are the peak season, while summer is largely off-season due to higher temperatures and stronger winds, often reducing balloon capacity and extreme lift in the months. conditions, flights are completely suspended,” he added.
Published – 14 Jan 2026 13:56 IST
