Hong Kong Business News

The Government today said that the AIA International Hot Air Balloon Fest Hong Kong is a commercial event, and the organiser has the responsibility to ensure its safe execution including conducting and arranging demonstration for compliance with all licence and permit specifications and requirements to secure approvals from relevant departments.

In response to media enquiries, the Government made it clear that because the event is a commercial one, it is not organised, co-organised or funded by the Government. It stressed that it has prioritised safety when endeavouring to facilitate the smooth staging of the event throughout the approval process.

The Government explained that following the organiser's notification to organise a hot air balloon event, relevant government departments communicated with it through multiple meetings. They provided professional advice, details and requirements for applying for necessary licences and permits, and participated in on-site hot air balloon demonstrations.

The organiser conducted an on-site demonstration on August 20, but the results were unsatisfactory. Relevant departments observed that the hot air balloon operation was highly susceptible to wind strength and direction, with instances of difficulty in stabilising control on-site, posing significant safety risks.

The Government pointed out that the organiser conducted another demonstration yesterday, the day before the event took place, and after cautious and comprehensive consideration of public safety, relevant government departments approved the display of hot air balloons.

However, given insufficient time to conduct another demonstration of passenger carriage to assess its safety, the approval does not include the carriage of passengers, it added.