Hot air balloon rides suspended in Cappadocia due to winds

NEVŞEHİR

Hot air balloon rides in the tourist hub Cappadocia in central Anatolia’s Nevşehir province were suspended on Feb. 16 due to severe weather conditions caused by winds, state-run Anadolu Agency reported. 

The rides, during which visitors can fly up to a kilometer above ground, were canceled until next week, the agency reported citing local authorities.

Cappadocia is the world’s most active hot air balloon hub in the world, with 100 balloons able to rise up in the Ürgüp-Göreme skies simultaneously.

The rides can only take off after the Civil Aviation Directorate gives a go, having checked for appropriate weather conditions.

An event where Chinese fliers would be attached to hot air balloons in declaration of “Turkey’s year in tourism” in China was also canceled due to strong winds, the agency reported.