The 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival being conducted at Pollachi in Coimbatore on Wednesday
| Photo Credit: M. Periasamy
Hot air balloons from all over the world – including the US, Thailand, UK, Austria, France, Brazil, Vietnam, and Belgium – adorned the skies over Pollachi in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday (January 14, 2025), kicking off the 10th edition of the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival (TNIBF) in the region.
The festival will continue till January 16 at Kongu City in Achipatti near Pollachi, after which it will head to Madurai from January 18 to 19, at the Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena. The festival was inaugurated in Chennai on January 10.
The TNIBF is conducted by the State Tourism department in collaboration with Global Media Box. Over the past decade, the festival has been a key event in the State’s tourism calendar, as it is recognised as the only annual hot air balloon festival in the country.
“Hot air balloon festivals are spectator events that are entirely dependent on nature. Calm winds and favorable weather are critical for safe operations. All decisions regarding the flight and tethering are made by certified pilots,” said Benedict Savio, Founder, TNIBF, and event director, Global Media Box.
“Hot air balloons are classified as aircraft and operate under strict civil aviation rules and regulations,” he added.
This is also the first time that the event is being hosted in Madurai. “In Madurai, we will have free flying at the Kalaignar Centenary Jallikattu Arena,” Mr. Savio said.
The TNIBF is a celebration of culture, adventure, and global tourism. Hot air balloon festivals attract large crowds worldwide, and this festival continues to boost domestic tourism, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond.
Key features
International participation
The festival features 10+ hot air balloons from 8+ countries: United Kingdom, France, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam
Uniquely shaped balloons
The balloons feature iconic shapes like that of Baby Monster (Brazil), Hugo the Cheetah (Austria), Wes the Wolf, and Eli the Elephant (UK)
Mini balloon models
The festival provides hands-on experiences to kids and families to learn more about how hot air balloons work
Balloon crew programme
Aspiring balloonists can participate as crew members across the three cities, with insights into future career opportunities in hot air balloon piloting
Weather-dependent operations
All hot air balloon activities are subject to calm winds and weather conditions, with final decisions made by certified pilots
Published – January 15, 2025 02:22 pm IST
