UAE to open Middle East’s first hot air balloon museum

The UAE is preparing to unveil the Middle East's inaugural hot air balloon museum, in collaboration with Japan's Saga Balloon Museum. This will mark the seventh such museum globally, according to the UAE Hot Air Balloon Team, although the museum's precise location and opening date have yet to be disclosed. The museum aims to chronicle the history of hot air ballooning, showcase the aircraft's construction and operation, and document the UAE team's international tours, including a balloon adorned with the phrase "The world will never forget you, Zayed," honoring the nation's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Capt. Abdulaziz Al Mansoori, the leader of the UAE team, highlighted that the museum will also function as an educational and training center. "This project transcends being a singular tourism and cultural attraction; it serves as a comprehensive and sustainable educational and training facility, enabling the dissemination of global expertise to our national talent," he stated.

He emphasized that this initiative aligns with the UAE's leadership vision to consistently champion innovative projects that place the country on the global stage.

The agreement was finalized during a visit by the team to Saga, where they interacted with the Japanese museum's staff to exchange insights on operations. Kiyoshi Mori, Saga's deputy director, confirmed that the museum will provide support for the UAE project. In 2006, the UAE team became the first to have an Arabic name inscribed on Saga's honor boards.

Hot air balloon rides are available in various parts of the UAE, predominantly departing from Dubai desert or Ras Al Khaimah. Regional operators such as Sindbad Gulf Balloons, Maha Balloon Adventures, Shepherd Balloon Dubai, Hero Balloon Flights, and ActionFlight in Ras Al Khaimah provide desert excursions. For a more concise experience, The Dubai Balloon at Atlantis, The Palm offers 10-minute tethered ascents over Palm Jumeirah.