Turkish-Made Hot Air Balloons Exported to 11 Countries
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloğlu announced that Turkish-made hot air balloons have received demand from 11 countries this year. A total of 42 balloons were exported, with the highest sales going to Egypt.
Turkey Rises as an Exporter in Aviation
Regarding domestically produced hot air balloons, Minister Uraloğlu stated that locally developed software by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) and certification processes in line with international standards have been successfully implemented.
Uraloğlu recalled that hot air balloons produced by Turkish companies received type certification in 2019, gaining official registration. He emphasized that they became the second civil aircraft in Turkey to receive a type certificate, following the HÜRKUŞ training aircraft.
The first export took place in 2020 to Rwanda, marking the first time a civil aircraft was exported from Turkey. Subsequently, in 2022, Brazil, and in 2023, Mexico’s civil aviation authorities recognized the type certificate issued by SHGM.
Export of 42 Balloons to 11 Countries
Minister Uraloğlu stated that Turkish-made hot air balloons were exported this year to 11 countries: Rwanda, Ghana, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Qatar, Oman, Tanzania, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and Jordan.
Turkey, exporting a total of 42 balloons, made the largest sales to Egypt with 23 units. Uraloğlu said, “With the balloons we produce ourselves, we have both strengthened our tourism and positioned our country as an exporter in the aviation sector. This success is a tangible indicator of Turkey’s aviation vision.”
Hot Air Ballooning Sector Growing Rapidly
The hot air ballooning sector in Turkey continues to expand. As of July 2025, the number of balloon operators in the country rose to 71, while the total number of balloons increased by 15% compared to the same period last year, reaching 503.
During the same period, the number of passengers carried also grew by 7%, reaching 502,820, setting a new record.
Minister Uraloğlu noted that balloon pilots are trained in six schools in Turkey, with a total of 703 balloon pilots, emphasizing that skilled human resources are the sector’s greatest strength.
