Explainer | What went wrong? The Post unpacks Hong Kong hot-air balloon fiasco
‘We have been looking forward to this international event, but now, thanks to the organiser’s arrangements, it has become an international joke,’ affected customer says
The curtain has dropped on Hong Kong’s first hot-air balloon festival, which has made the headlines over the past few days after licensing issues led to the cancellation of much-awaited tethered rides.
The event was also forced to close early due to a storm and left hundreds of ticket holders outraged.
The Post unpacks the emotional fiasco of the mega-event.
1. What was the fiasco all about?
The AIA International Hot Air Balloon Festival was scheduled to take place at the Central Harbourfront from September 4 to 7.
One of the festival’s key selling points was the chance to ride a large balloon and ascend up to 20 metres for a clear, panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. It also included live performances by pop singers.
Organised by Grand Events Asia and sponsored by AIA, the four-day festival cost about HK$30 million (US$3.8 million).
But it got off to a rocky start on September 4, when Grand Events announced it had failed to secure approval for balloon rides. The government cited “unsatisfactory” test results as the reason for withholding permission.