Your Safety Comes First
Cappadocia Balloon Safety
Every flight we coordinate is flown by a licensed local balloon operator under Turkish civil aviation (SHGM) regulations. The operator — not Above Cappadocia — controls the aircraft, the pilot, and the safety-critical decisions on the day of your flight, including the final weather go/no-go call.
Licensed Commercial Pilots
Every flight is flown by the operator's licensed commercial balloon pilot, certified under Turkish civil aviation (SHGM) regulations. The pilot leads the safety briefing before takeoff and is responsible for the flight from launch to landing.
Pre-Flight Inspections
Turkish civil aviation (SHGM) regulations require operators to inspect the envelope, basket, burners, fuel system, and rigging before every flight, and to maintain equipment to manufacturer specifications.
Required Insurance Coverage
Licensed balloon operators in Turkey are required to carry passenger liability insurance for the duration of the flight, in line with Turkish Civil Aviation requirements.
Weather-Based Go/No-Go Decisions
The operator's pilot checks wind, visibility, and precipitation conditions on the morning of the flight and makes the final go/no-go call. Flights only proceed when conditions are within safe limits — this is the same reason some mornings are rescheduled.
Safety Comes Before Schedule
If conditions are not within safe limits, your booking is refunded — a €10 per-passenger card-processing fee applies to card payments, none for cash/bank transfer. Rebooking to a new date is a new booking at that day's current price and availability, not a free automatic reschedule. Safety is never traded for keeping a schedule.
Emergency Procedures
Balloon crews are trained in emergency response, and baskets carry standard safety equipment including a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, and communication equipment, as required under SHGM operating rules.