Licence requirements
The type of licence required for the operation of a balloon is dependent on the purpose of intended operations:
Private activity
Either a UK Private Pilot’s Licence for balloons, UK PPL(BA), or an UK Part-BFCL BPL is required.
Commercial activity (without paying passengers)
Either a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence for balloons, UK CPL(B) (restricted or full), or an UK Part-BFCL BPL with commercial operation rating is required.
Commercial activity (with paying passengers)
Either a UK Commercial Pilot’s Licence for balloons, UK CPL(B) (full), or an UK Part-BFCL BPL with commercial operation rating is required.
Operator requirements
In accordance with UK Regulation (EU) 2018/395, balloon flight for certain Commercial Operations, including Commercial Passenger Ballooning (CPB), requires the operator to declare to the competent authority of the Member State where the operator has its principal place of business (or where the operator has no principal place of business, the place where the operator is established or resides).
Declared Balloon Operator (DBO)
Annex II of UK Regulation (EU) 2018/395, “Balloon Air Operations (Part-BOP), Subpart ADD – Additional Requirements for Commercial Operations”, contains the regulations, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material relevant for balloon operators. Further guidance is available in CAP 1741 - Declared Balloon Operator Guidance.
List of Declared Balloon Operators
| Name | Trading names | Reference Number |
| AirXcite Limited | Virgin Balloon Flights, Balloon Flights Italy, Ballooning in Tuscany, Chianti Ballooning | UK.DBO.173 |
| Atmosphere Hot Air Balloons Limited | Atmosphere Balloons | UK.DBO.504 |
| Bailey Balloons Ltd | Bailey Exclusive | UK.DBO.158 |
| BB Flights Ltd | Bucket-List Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.515 |
| Christopher Monk | UK.DBO.507 | |
| Diamond Hot Air Balloons Ltd | Exclusive Ballooning, Ballooning Access, City of London Ballooning | UK.DBO.229 |
| Elevate Balloon Flights Ltd | UK.DBO.514 | |
| Fly Away Ballooning Ltd | UK.DBO.503 | |
| Mr I Martin and Mr D Groombridge | Flying Enterprises | UK.DBO.243 |
| Robert Schwab | Fly Navy Ballooning | UK.DBO.510 |
| S Colin | Skybus Ballooning | UK.DBO.133 |
| Sky High Ballooning Ltd | UK.DBO.505 | |
| Skyview Ballooning Ltd | Kent Ballooning, Essex Ballooning, London Ballooning | UK.DBO.085 |
| Spirit Operations Ltd | UK.DBO.240 | |
| The Balloon Company Ltd | First Flight | UK.DBO.096 |
| The Hot Air Balloon Company (Global) Ltd | UK.DBO.512 | |
| The Wild Pig Group Ltd | UK.DBO.513 | |
| Vista Ballooning Ltd | Vista Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.509 |
| Webster Adventures Ltd | UK.DBO.239 | |
| Wickers World Limited | UK.DBO.027 | |
| Yorkshire Balloon Flights Ltd | Yorkshire Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.502 |
As at 30 December 2024
Initial Declaration as a balloon operator
CAA Form SRG 2146 should be completed and sent to CAA. Details of costs can be found in the CAA Scheme of Charges – Air Operator and Police Air Operator Certificates. (Note that once declared, there is no “renewal” process, the declaration continues to be valid unless it is varied (because of a change to the information in the previous declaration) or ceased.)
Variation of Declaration as a balloon operator
CAA Form SRG 2146 should be completed and sent to CAA. Details of costs can be found in the CAA Scheme of Charges – Air Operator and Police Air Operator Certificates.
Airspace notification
Guidance on the airspace notification requirements for balloon events/activities is detailed on the Balloons page.
Unmanned balloons
Guidance on the permission requirements for unmanned captive/tethered and free balloons is detailed on the Balloons page.
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