At 7am this morning, twenty-seven hot air balloons lifted off from London City Airport as part of the 2017 RICOH Lord Mayor’s Hot Air Balloon Regatta.

It is the first time the regatta has launched from London City Airport, this year forming part of the 30th birthday celebrations for the airport, which opened in 1987.

The balloons remained airborne above London for over one hour, travelling north eastwards from the airport in the London Borough of Newham at around 1,000 feet, over Dagenham, Hornchurch and Upminster, before dispersing and landing.

The regatta was also a fund raiser, with the balloon’s corporate sponsors donating to support the Lord Mayor’s Appeal — in support of the London Symphony Orchestra Discovery programme, St Paul’s Cathedral Music Outreach and Music in Hospitals.

Thursday 26 October marks exactly 30 years since London City Airport began commercial operations, with two airlines initially serving just three routes in 1987; Plymouth, Paris and Brussels. The airport was officially opened by HM The Queen on 5 November 1987.

Photos by London City Airport

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One comment
  1. Heidi Barnes says:
    13 September 2017 at 3:56 pm

    I’m surprised they lifted , it was really windy in Welling , about 5 miles southeast of City Airport .

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