The much-anticipated Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta has been cancelled due to weather concerns, the organising committee has announced. Over 50 hot air balloons were supposed to fly over the capital tomorrow (July 28).
It was originally scheduled to take place on July 7 but was called off due to ‘gusty unstable conditions’. A further planned show on July 21 in Battersea Park was also cancelled for similar reasons.
But the festivities will not be taking place this year after all. And they haven’t since 2019, because of both the Covid-19 pandemic and poor weather conditions.
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A spokesperson for Exclusive Ballooning said: “Sunday will be a lovely summer day with light winds and whilst perfect for a picnic in a park, sadly not suitable for ballooning over London. Balloons fly with the wind and therefore rely on this to carry them safely out of the City.
“With such little wind, it would take a very long time for them to clear the active airspace and also to fly out of the built up areas in the city to more open areas, which would allow for a safe landing. Flying over central London is a privilege and we must ensure that conditions are suitable and safe for not only launch but while in the air and landing.
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“We are therefore taking the difficult but correct decision to stand down Sunday 28th July. Our team share in the frustration and disappointment of the decision to postpone due to not enough wind!
“Thank you to all of the messages of support from around the world on all platforms. Arranging a mass hot air balloon flight over central London always carries a risk of postponement but as the support messages continue to say, that is not a reason not to try, we firmly believe it will be worth the wait!”
Giving a slight hope there could be a chance the display happens later in the year, the spokesperson added: “Whilst this was the last scheduled date for July, we will now coordinate with all relevant parties, to confirm if another standby date can be arranged for this year.” The Hot Air Balloon Regatta was set up to raise funds for The Lord Mayor’s Appeal and its charity partners. Up to 2019, the event has been able to collect over £250,000.
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