What it takes to fly a hot air balloon: Safety, fuel and regulations involved to keep balloons airborne

As two hot air balloons gently lift off the ground outside the Jalamandali Park in Hyderabad’s Gandipet, much of the work that makes the flight possible remains invisible to passengers. Mahesh, a pilot who flew one of the two balloons on the morning of Wednesday (January 14, 2026), explained in detail how hot air balloons are operated, maintained and regulated, highlighting the safety standards that govern such flights.

Fuel for 2 hours is carried for 1 hour flight

At the core of the balloon’s operation are its LPG cylinders. Each balloon typically carries four large cylinders, two with a capacity of around 80 litres each and the other two holding about 60 litres each. “Aviation norms require pilots to carry at least double the fuel needed for the planned duration of the flight. In India, a standard balloon flight lasts about one hour, which means enough fuel is always carried for at least two hours in the air,” he added.

Scrutiny of hot air balloon components

The basket used for the flight is manufactured in Spain by Ultramagic, one of the globally recognised balloon manufacturers. Mr. Mahesh explained that balloons and all their components are subjected to multiple layers of scrutiny, including daily inspections, post-flight checks and annual inspections. Even parts such as fuel pipes must be inspected regularly and replaced at fixed intervals, regardless of whether they appear to be in good condition.

Two burners

The balloon is equipped with two burners, which function much like engines. “While a single burner is sufficient to keep the balloon airborne for most of the flight, the second burner is used only when additional power is required, such as during take-off or sudden changes in wind conditions,” Mahesh added.

Safety equipment

Safety equipment is mandatory on board. Each balloon carries fire extinguishers to handle small fires, a first aid kit certified as per aviation safety requirements, and a drop line of around 50 metres. The drop line allows the ground crew to maintain control if the balloon begins drifting faster than expected during landing. Mahesh noted that a team of nearly 20 people are needed for each balloon — handling ground operations, technical checks, permissions and passenger safety.

All hot air balloons used for commercial flying in India are registered aircraft. Mr. Mahesh said every balloon has a registration number and operates under the oversight 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 DGCA licences. 

Sharing his professional journey, Mr. Mahesh said he has been flying balloons for the past two years, but has worked in the field for nearly 18 years. He obtained his pilot licence in Europe, trained in Slovenia, before returning to India to complete the regulatory process required to commercially fly.

“Unlike fixed-wing aviation, logging flying hours in ballooning is more complex. Flights are usually limited to about one hour a day, and operations are heavily dependent on weather conditions. In India, ballooning is typically possible for only six to seven months a year. Winters are the peak season, while summer is largely off-season due to higher temperatures and stronger winds, which reduce the balloon’s lifting capacity. During hotter months, passenger numbers often have to be reduced significantly, and in extreme conditions, flights are suspended altogether,” he added.