Türkiye’s skies were more crowded than ever in 2024, as hot air balloon tourism soared to a historic high with a record-breaking 933,195 tourists taking flight across seven scenic regions.
According to data compiled by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM), this marks a 25% increase compared to 2023, making it the highest number of hot air balloon passengers in the country’s history.
Flights were conducted in seven regions known for their natural beauty and cultural significance:
Cappadocia and Çat in Nevşehir,
Pamukkale in Denizli,
Soğanlı in Kayseri,
Aspendos in Antalya,
Ihlara Valley in Aksaray, and
The Phrygian Valley in Afyonkarahisar.
These iconic locations hosted a total of 43,283 balloon flights throughout the year, operated by 71 licensed companies using a fleet of 441 hot air balloons.
Leading the surge was Cappadocia, world-renowned for its dreamlike landscapes and breathtaking sunrise flights. The region continues to serve as the heart of Türkiye’s balloon tourism industry.
In comparison, 747,203 tourists took balloon rides in 2023, when the country had a fleet of 431 balloons—highlighting both growing demand and the sector’s rapid development.
Türkiye has voiced strong concern following the United States’ strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, warning that the action could dangerously escalate the conflict and trigger a global crisis.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday held a series of high-level meetings in Istanbul with senior officials from the UN, Qatar, Pakistan, and Iran, amid growing regional tension following Israel's attacks on Iran.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced plans to invite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to Armenia for the European Political Community (EPC) summit, scheduled for spring 2026 in Yerevan.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Friday that Türkiye is using all diplomatic means to establish stability not only in the Caucasus but throughout the region.
The official opening ceremony of the 'Azerbaijan' residential complex, constructed by Azerbaijan in the Turkish city of Kahramanmaraş, was held on Thursday and was attended by President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
At least three people have been killed and several others injured after an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva, hitting a residential building.
Iranian state-run outlet Press TV has reported that nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Siddiqi was assassinated in a targeted attack in northern Tehran.
At least 71 people have been killed and 20 injured in a terror attack on a village in Niger’s Tillaberi region, local media reported.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no ceasefire agreement with Israel, directly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim of a truce between the two countries.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Kazakhstan’s flagship carrier, Air Astana, will temporarily suspend its flights from Atyrau to Dubai starting 28 June, due to a significant increase in flight duration.
The 176th General Assembly of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) has formally registered World Expo 2030 Riyadh. Organised under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow”, Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place in the capital of Saudi Arabia between 1 October 2030 and 31 March 2031.
Due to recent airspace closures, travellers departing from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are likely to experience flight disruptions due to the suspension of multiple regional routes. Dubai-based carriers Emirates and flydubai have cancelled multiple flights, as well.
Air Arabia has suspended flights to multiple destinations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe amid escalating regional tensions and dangerous airspace conditions.
At least three people have been killed and several others injured after an Iranian missile struck the southern Israeli city of Be'er Sheva, hitting a residential building.
Iranian state-run outlet Press TV has reported that nuclear scientist Mohammad Reza Siddiqi was assassinated in a targeted attack in northern Tehran.
At least 71 people have been killed and 20 injured in a terror attack on a village in Niger’s Tillaberi region, local media reported.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no ceasefire agreement with Israel, directly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim of a truce between the two countries.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometres north of Baghdad.
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