Belfast Telegraph

Saturday 27 December 2014

Balloon flights resume in Luxor

Balloon flights have resumed in Luxor, Egypt (AP)
Balloon flights have resumed in Luxor, Egypt (AP)

Egypt has resumed hot air balloon sightseeing in the ancient city of Luxor, almost two months after 19 people were killed in an accident which led authorities to halt the flights.

Mohammed Ibrahim Sherif, head of the civil aviation authority, said the first hot air balloon was launched in the southern city after safety measures required by his office were implemented. He said five out of seven companies have been allowed to resume flights.

Luxor governor Ezzat Saad, who boarded the first balloon with several British, Australian and Arab tourists, said he was pleased with the resumption, and considers the sport "one of the most important touristic aspects of the city".


The tourists - from Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Belgium and France - were travelling on a sunrise flight over Luxor's dramatic pharaonic sites and desert landscape.

The disaster occurred as the balloon was landing. Initial investigations suggested the fire broke out when a landing cable tore a fuel tube used to fire the burner that heats the balloon's air. Mr Sherif said investigations were still ongoing and may take another five weeks.

Ballooning experts say the accident was the worst in the sport's 200-year history. The second-largest disaster was in 1989, when two balloons collided over the Australian outback near the town of Alice Springs, killing 13.


The flights provide spectacular views of the ancient Karnak and Luxor temples, starting before sunrise and passing over green fields leading to the Valley of the Kings - the burial site of Tutankhamun and other pharaohs.

The first hot air balloon flight in Luxor took place in 1988, flown by foreign pilots and operators, said Ahmed Abboud, head of the Egyptian union for balloon flights. The first Egyptian companies were established in 1994, he added.

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