Civil aviation authorities in the province decided this Friday morning to cancel all hot air balloon flights for the second consecutive day, due to unstable weather conditions and high wind speeds affecting the province.

Decision Details and Reasons for Cancellation

Navigation sources at the hot air balloon airport west of Luxor confirmed that the suspension decision came after monitoring sudden weather fluctuations in the early morning hours, marked by a noticeable increase in wind speed, in addition to a change in direction blowing from the west of the city to the east. This poses a significant danger to the flight path of the balloons and passenger safety.

The hot air balloon airport ground issued a notice to all operating balloon companies in Luxor stating that takeoff is not permitted today, in compliance with the strict aviation safety standards followed by Egyptian authorities to protect tourists and passengers.

Safety Measures First

This measure comes within the framework of the constant commitment to the security and safety of visitors to the tourist city, where balloon flights are subject to precise monitoring of weather conditions minutes before takeoff.

Luxor also witnessed a similar decision yesterday to halt flights for the same weather-related reasons, reflecting the accuracy of weather monitoring and the companies’ adherence to official instructions.

Hot air balloon flights are considered one of the most important tourist activities that distinguish Luxor globally, attracting tourists of various nationalities to enjoy viewing archaeological landmarks and the Nile from the sky. However, the “weather factor” remains the primary determinant for operating these flights.

Luxor

Luxor, located in southern Egypt, is often called the world’s greatest open-air museum. It stands on the site of the ancient city of Thebes, the powerful capital of the New Kingdom pharaohs (c. 1550–1070 BCE). Its vast archaeological treasures include the Karnak Temple complex, the Valley of the Kings, and the Luxor Temple, which was largely built by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II.

Nile

The Nile is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa, historically considered the longest river in the world. It is most famous for being the lifeblood of ancient Egyptian civilization, providing water, fertile soil through annual floods, and a transportation route that allowed the pharaonic kingdoms to flourish for millennia. Today, it remains crucial for irrigation, hydropower, and transportation for multiple modern nations, including Egypt and Sudan.