Thousands of balloonists will fly the skies in Albuquerque this year when the International Balloon Festival returns to its pre-pandemic glory.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham recently revealed that the Federal Administration Aviation (FAA) will permit hot air balloons to fly over Albuquerque airspace, which hasn’t happened since 2019.
“The economic and cultural importance of New Mexico’s rightful reputation as the Ballooning Capital of the World cannot be overstated,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said in a release from her office. “I appreciate the FAA’s work to identify a solution, recognizing that Albuquerque’s ballooning community has operated with a dedication to safety for over 50 years. New Mexico’s representatives from local, state and the federal government worked together to advocate for a solution – and the real winners are the hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Mexico and the Balloon Fiesta every year.”
Hot air balloons will fly over Albuquerque after operators signed a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the agency certifying proper operational procedures. The agreement runs through 2023. Meanwhile, the FAA will convene a safety risk panel to identify long-term solutions. The temporary rule supersedes a previous policy that would have effectively blocked ballooning in Albuquerque’s Class-C airspace by requiring the addition of equipment incompatible with hot air balloons.
Gov. Lujan Grisham advocated for the measure underscoring the impact of ballooning on local and state economies and New Mexico’s cultural identity, the release said. The annual festival provides once-in-a-lifetime experiences to residents and visitors alike with a longstanding commitment to safety.
“We commend the FAA for addressing the needs of the balloonist community in Albuquerque and beyond, enabling balloon pilots to operate in Albuquerque’s Class-C airspace,” New Mexico Tourism Department Secretary Jen Schroer said in the release. “Balloonists will now be able to return to providing bucket list experiences to residents and visitors alike. This decision will not only ensure that pilots are equipped to safely navigate the Albuquerque airspace for the International Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and other ballooning events, but also maintain New Mexico’s distinction as the premier destination for the venturesome traveler.”
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the state’s most popular events, attracting visitors from across the globe. In 2019, there were nearly 900,000 attendees, 71% of whom were out-of-state visitors, and resulted in an estimated economic impact of $186.8 million, according to a release from the governor’s office.
Albuquerque sees an estimated 40,000 balloon passengers each year, with over 125 balloon pilots and crews operating in the city. New Mexico is also home to the Red Rock Balloon Rally, Elephant Butte Balloon Regatta, Balloons over Angel Fire, Taos Mountain Balloon Rally, and the White Sands Balloon and Music Festival, all of which serve as important drivers of tourism and economic activity for local communities.