Balloons ARE coming back

Northumberland, UK
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Balloons ARE coming back
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Hi Everybody

It appears that Shareen's earlier message has now got validity. Just spoken to my contact and he says they now have virtually all the permissions required to restart, with a meeting currently taking place today with the Egyptian CAA to finalise everything. He's now totally confident that they will be back in the air by either this weekend coming or the beginning of next week latest. His company hasn't decided on ticket prices yet - but it will be increased on the good old days. And they will all be using the same big take-off site - but he says it is very big & he thinks it's going to be fine. They've also yet to hear how many balloons per company they'll be allowed to have in the air each day (& that will obviously have an effect on pricing as well).

He is very happy & very positive that this is finally the real thing. So all fingers crossed everywhere...

Jan, the pilot

Edinburgh, United...
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That is very good news indeed. I'll keep my fingers crossed that everything goes to plan and that the balloons will indeed be in the air very soon.

Luxor, Egypt
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Have they heard when the final inspections will take place yet? And have they got the permissions in writing yet?

Scotland, United...
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Excellent news for all concerned Jan, will keep fingers crossed we hear reports of balloons floating over the west bank at sunrise this weekend / beginning of next week !!!

Barry, United...
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I saw Mohammed Ezz the owner of Hod Hod Soliman at the airport on Sunday night and he said nothing yet :(

Caerphilly, United...
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Hope they finally let these guys start earning a living again. Thanks to all and especially Jan and Shareen for the regular updates.

Let's hope this is it...

England, United...
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Just been reading and hearing,,,,,,there are some smiles around Luxor amongst the balloon folks.......sounds like there will be lift off very soon.

(I know, we've read it all before but I'm daring to raise my own hopes again).

Northumberland, UK
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Hi Everyone

Well the very latest is that - yes they will be allowed to re-start from this Sunday. So here's hoping no last minute hiccoughs & they'll be on test for a month to see how they go on.

Jan, the pilot

Luxor, Egypt
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i've had the same information as Frazers, the balloons will be flying again on Sunday. The ECAA will be doing the inspections between now and Sunday and it seems that each company will only be allowed one balloon in the air at any given time. One balloon will take off, and the second flight will remain on the ground until the first balloon has been seen to have landed.

Prices look like they may go up, but probably not immediately. That, of course, will be down to the individual companies.

Also it appears that the biggest baskets will not be able to be used as none of the pilots are currently licenced to fly them, so that will limit the number of passengers on each flight.

The month's trial period is purportedly to iron out any problems with the take off procedures and the new "control tower". All flights will be subject to much more control than has previously been seen.

So, inshallah, hopefully the final inspections will be completed on time, and balloons will once again be seen over the skies of Luxor on Sunday!!

San Salvador
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This is great news and thanks for all the updates. I have been following the topic for a couple of months now leading up to my trip from early to mid november.

I suppose the one month trial period means the companies will not start taking customers yet?

Northumberland, UK
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327 posts
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Hi Pixelfreak

I think they will be taking passengers because that will be all part of the trial of how the new arrangements work out for everybody - staff & passengers. But it is true that the bigger envelopes can't be flown yet - they've not been re-authorised by the authorities - which is bound to mean higher prices as those companies will only be able to fly fewer passengers per day.

Jan

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