Licence requirements
The type of licence required for the operation of a balloon is dependent on the purpose of intended operations:
Private activity
A UK Part-BFCL Balloon Pilot Licence (BPL) is required.
Commercial activity (without paying passengers)
A UK Part-BFCL BPL with commercial non-passenger operation rating is required.
Commercial activity (with paying passengers)
A UK Part-BFCL BPL with commercial passenger operation rating is required.
Operator requirements
In accordance with UK Regulation (EU) 2018/395, balloon flight for certain Commercial Operations, including Commercial Passenger Ballooning (CPB), requires the operator to make a declaration to the CAA.
Declared Balloon Operator (DBO)
Annex II of UK Regulation (EU) 2018/395, “Balloon Air Operations (Part-BOP), Subpart ADD – Additional Requirements for Commercial Operations”, contains the regulations, acceptable means of compliance and guidance material relevant for balloon operators. Further guidance is available in CAP 1741 - Declared Balloon Operator Guidance.
List of Declared Balloon Operators
| Name | Trading names | Reference Number |
| AirXcite Limited | Virgin Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.173 |
| Atmosphere Hot Air Balloons Limited | Atmosphere Balloons | UK.DBO.504 |
| Bailey Balloons Ltd | Bailey Exclusive | UK.DBO.158 |
| Balloon Flights Ltd | UK.DBO.519 | |
| Ballooning Access Ltd | UK.DBO.517 | |
| BB Flights Ltd | Bucket-List Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.515 |
| Chris Monk Ballooning Ltd | Chris Monk Ballooning | UK.DBO.518 |
| Diamond Hot Air Balloons Limited | Exclusive Ballooning | UK.DBO.516 |
| Fly Away Ballooning Ltd | UK.DBO.503 | |
| Mr I Martin and Mr D Groombridge | Flying Enterprises | UK.DBO.243 |
| Robert Schwab | Fly Navy Ballooning | UK.DBO.510 |
| S Colin | Skybus Ballooning | UK.DBO.133 |
| Sky High Ballooning Ltd | UK.DBO.505 | |
| Skyview Ballooning Ltd | Kent Ballooning, Essex Ballooning, London Ballooning | UK.DBO.085 |
| Spirit Operations Ltd | Spirit Operations, Spirit Balloons | UK.DBO.240 |
| The Balloon Company Ltd | First Flight | UK.DBO.096 |
| The Wild Pig Group Ltd | UK.DBO.513 | |
| Vista Ballooning Ltd | Vista Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.509 |
| Webster Adventures Ltd | UK.DBO.239 | |
| Wickers World Limited | UK.DBO.027 | |
| Yorkshire Balloon Flights Ltd | Yorkshire Balloon Flights | UK.DBO.502 |
Initial Declaration as a balloon operator
CAA Form SRG 2146 should be completed and sent to CAA. Details of costs can be found in the CAA Scheme of Charges: Air Operator and Police Air Operator Certification. (Note that once declared, there is no “renewal” process, the declaration continues to be valid unless it is varied (because of a change to the information in the previous declaration) or ceased.)
Variation of Declaration as a balloon operator
CAA Form SRG 2146 should be completed and sent to CAA. Details of costs can be found in the CAA Scheme of Charges: Air Operator and Police Air Operator Certification.
Airspace notification
Guidance on the airspace notification requirements for balloon events/activities is detailed on the Balloon events and activities page.
Unmanned balloons
Guidance on the permission requirements for unmanned captive/tethered and free balloons is detailed on the Balloon events and activities page.