GOLDEN Eagle Ballooning took to the skies over Bagan last weekend with the official launch of its hot air balloon operations.
A subsidiary of Yangon-based Golden Express Tours, the ballooning company intends to meet demand for such services in Bagan, said Golden Eagle Ballooning general manager, Kaung Set Zaw at the launch last week.
The company has three hot air balloons with a total capacity of 24 passengers, and will run one sunrise flight a day between 35 and 60 minutes dependent on weather conditions. A ride costs US$370 per person.
Kang Set Zaw said: “We will start operating in Bagan for this season from November 23, 2014 to March 3, 2015. We will expand our operations to other destinations in Myanmar, probably Mandalay and Inle Lake next year.”
“Our balloons are manufactured by Ultramagic from Spain, one of the best and most well-known balloon manufacturers in the world and approved by European Aviation Safety Agency…The safety and satisfaction of clients is our highest priority,” he explained.
The company has hired three Swiss pilots and one chief pilot from Spain to drive the balloons.
Two ballooning companies are already in operation in Bagan, namely Balloons over Bagan and Oriental Ballooning, and the activity is also gaining popularity at Mandalay and Inle Lake.
