WHO WE ARE?
Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd is a fully licensed operator and approved by the CAASL (Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka) affiliated to Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and relevant ministries to operate Hot Air Balloon Rides in Sri Lanka.
As an investment of Uluer Group Companies, Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd (Sri Lanka Balloon) established in 2016 after years of research and Hot Air Ballooning experience in different countries for more than 11 years. Mahmut Sami Uluer (GM) also contributes greatly to diplomatic, commercial and cultural relations between the two countries as an Honorary Consul General of Sri Lanka to Turkey.
We own and operate 2 Hot Air Balloons, each carrying Sri Lanka Balloon design and designated entirely for passenger carrying use. We have the capacity to carry 26 passengers at the same time.
Our pilots, crew and office staff are fully qualified and highly experienced. All have many years of experience.
Uluer Group (as owner of 2 largest balloon companies in Turkey and largest balloon company in Sri Lanka) setted a record by increasing the number of balloons in its fleet to 18 and the passenger capacity to over 300.
Our Principles
Safety First
Top Level Pilot Skills
Top Quality Equipment
Comply With Regulations
MEET THE TEAM
Our experienced Balloon Pilots will be very happy to take you an unforgettable journey over Sri Lanka. Our local reservation and operation officers also work hard to give you excellent service from beginning to end.
Lanka Ballooning Turkish pilots hold Commercial Balloon Pilots License and validated by CAASL according to their experience and tested every year by the examiners of the Sri Lankan authorities. They have thousands of flight hours as professional commercial pilots.
Mahmut Sami Uluer
Managing Director | Chief Pilot | Attorney-at-Law
Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka to Turkey, Attorney-at-Law, Commercial & Instructor Balloon Pilot.
Graduated from Maltepe University (Istanbul), Faculty of Law.
After completing aviation courses in England, Spain, Russia and Turkey, became Private Pilot in 2007, Commercial Pilot in 2008 and Instructor Pilot in 2009. Worked as Examiner Pilot at Ministery of Transportation of Turkey, Directorate General of Civil Aviation. He has trained many pilots.
Worked as Commercial Pilot, Instructor Pilot, Chief Pilot, Flight Operations Manager, Ground Operations Manager at the World’s Largerst Fleet (18 Balloons) and World’s Larget Passenger Capacity: 300 Passengers per day.
Became Honorary Consul of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in 2013. He has valuable works in the development of commercial and cultural relations between the two countries. As a result, has made a significant contribution to the country’s tourism potential and employment by bringing professional ballooning to Sri Lanka.
Has 1000+ hours of flight experience with hot air balloons in 13+ years. Has been working for many years in ballooning and aviation.
Flown with many different brands and models of balloons from 1 Person (Pilot Only/ Solo Balloon) up to 32 Passengers + 2 Pilots (World’s Largest Balloon) in many locations.
Certified Maintenance Technician of Lindstrand Balloons(UK) and Ultramagic Balloons(Spain).
Scuba Diver, First Aid Expert,
Sancho Gonzalez Green
Pilot
Sancho Gonzalez-Green, born in Madrid on 27/02/1974, Is the son of Jesus Gonzalez-Green, the pioneer of modern Aerostation in Spain, who taught his son Sancho about the wonderful world of flying in hot air balloons since he was a little boy. Sancho had his first hot air balloon adventure when he was only 1 year old. At the age of 5 he flied frequently and started to master hot air balloons on his own; when he was 8 years old he was already well known in the aerostation world as “Pequeño Piloto” (Little Pilot).
When Sancho was 8 years old he turned into a real pilot when he carried out his first jump, a free short 10 minute ride, completely by himself.
Sancho was invited by Steven Forbes (Forbes Magazine) to participate in a hot air balloon festival in Normandy, where 30 of the best pilots in the world flew special shaped balloons: Harley Davidson, Beethoven, etc.. In 1992 Sancho participated in the Spanish Gran Prix 92 as official pilot of the “Pabellón de España” (Spanish Pavilion) Balloon. Flights in Seville, Madrid and Barcelona with a total of 100 participant. In 1993, he participated in the yearly hot air balloon festival in Gijón.
When he was 20 years old, in 1994, he was already flying passenger balloons of 180 thousand cubic feet with capacity for 8 passengers plus the pilot.
Worked as a Commercial Balloon Pilot in Spain, Egypt, Namibia and Turkey (Our sister company Discovery Balloons).
Other Adventures: Hot air balloon as BASE jump for parachutists (approximately 25). Sancho has licences to fly: Hang Glider, Paramotor, Ultra-Light motors and gliders. (Total of 500 hours). He holds army diving license (250 hours), enjoys windsurf, fly surf, buggies sailing, bungee jumping and power kites
Languages: Native Spanish, high level in English, low level in French & Turkish.
Imran
Reservation & Operation Manager
Imran was born and raised in Sri Lanka. After a few years of operational experience in the Gulf countries, he started working for Lanka Ballooning.
Imran manages the operational program in the best way by working in coordination with clients, travel agencies, hotels and tourist guides.
He speaks English, Sinhala, Tamil, Arabic, Hindi and Malayalam.
LANKA BALLOONING FLEET
As Lanka Ballooning, we spare no expense in the purchase our balloons. We work with two of the world’s most prestigious balloon manufacturers: Lindstrand Balloons in the UK and Ultramagic Balloons from Spain. Our baskets are designed for VIP use and all of our balloons incorporate the latest design and safety features.
# 1
Registration: 4R-ULR
Own and Operate by: Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd
Passenger Capacity: 16+1
Manufacturer: Lindstrand
Production Place: UK
# 2
Registration: 4R-BLN
Own and Operate by: Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd
Passenger Capacity: 10+1
Manufacturer: Lindstrand
Production Place: UK
LANKA BALLOONING VEHICLES
Transport to and from your hotel is provided in our luxury company vehicles.
RELATED ORGANIZATIONS
We work with the very best. We are proud of our partners / related organizations, who serve us to deliver the best experience.
OUR LICENSES
Lanka Ballooning operates Sri Lanka Balloon Rides accordingly international and local authorities.
Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd is fully approved and licensed Hot Air Ballooning project. Authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka with Air Operator Certificate.
All Sri Lanka Balloon Rides are conducted with permission from the CAASL and other local authorities.
Our pilots are fully qualified and highly experienced, and they are from Turkey. All have many years of experience.
They hold International Commcerial Balloon Pilot License and Validation Certificates issued by the CAASL to operate Commercial Balloon Flights in Sri Lanka.
Lanka Ballooning (Pvt) Ltd is fully insured by Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation.
Passenger Personal Accident Insurance Policies are inspected and approved by CAASL according to the Approval to Carry out Commercial Hot Air Balloon Operations in Sri Lanka.