Consumer watchdog sees 28 complaints over canceled hot air balloon rides

Hong Kong’s Consumer Council has received 28 complaints as of Friday noon regarding the cancelled “tethered hot air balloon rides” at the inaugural AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest in the city, after it failed to secure a permit for the tethered ride.

The reported losses amount to approximately HK$40,118, with the single largest case involving HK$4,956.

The highly anticipated event, which launched yesterday for a four-day run at the Central Harbourfront Event Space, promised a “tethered hot air balloon experience” as a key attraction.

However, in a statement released at 5pm yesterday, the organiser announced that it had not received government approval to carry passengers, meaning the balloons could only be displayed on site as a display installation.

Despite the original schedule listing further tethered flight sessions for this morning and evening, visitors who arrived today found the experiential portion of the event still unavailable.

The Consumer Council said today it is very concerned about the incident and understands the disappointment felt by attendees who were unable to participate in the balloon experience.

The council confirmed it has already contacted the event organizer and will actively follow up on the matter.

Commenting on the regulatory challenges, Warren Chim Wing-nin, deputy chairman of the aircraft division of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and a member of the Civil Aviation Department's expert group on air traffic management systems, explained that the festival’s location in Central is within controlled airspace, making regulatory review by the department necessary.

Speaking to a radio program this morning, Chim pointed out that Hong Kong regulations govern tethered hot air balloons, focusing primarily on operational timing and safety coordination with other airspace users.

He noted that approval from the Civil Aviation Department would be required if the balloons were to ascend beyond 60 meters or operate within 10 meters of vessels, vehicles, or structures.

Chim further clarified that hot air balloons are classified as aircraft under local law. Consequently, applying for permission requires the submission of extensive documentation, including a certificate of type, flight manuals, operational and contingency procedures, maintenance records, and proof of pilot licensing—especially if the flights are conducted for paid passenger rides.

(Marco Lam)
 

update 6.47pm