Hot air balloons to return to London sky for first time since Covid

Hot air balloons will soar above London’s skyline later this year for the first time since 2019.

The Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta will see up to fifty hot air balloons take flight across central London.

Organisers of the event have earmarked July 7, July 21 and July 28 as possible flying dates.

Previous editions of the annual festival were cancelled due to the Covid pandemic and weather conditions.

The event aims to raise awareness about the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which has raised more than £250,000 since 2015.

The appeal aims to create a better London by making it more inclusive, healthy, skilled, and fair.

The Regatta was last held in 2019, when 46 hot air balloons were launched from Battersea Park at 5.30pm.

The event will be led by Lord Mayor Michael Mainelli.

People will be able to enjoy the view from various locations in central London.

The balloons will aim to fly by landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London and London Bridge.

Last year, three dates in May and July were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.