Balloon safety in Marrakech
Who licenses the operators, what changed after 2025, and the limits each listing sets for its passengers.
Hot air ballooning in Marrakech is a licensed activity under the Moroccan ministry of transport and its civil aviation authority. As a passenger you can check three things yourself: does the listing name insurance, are you within its weight and health limits, and do you follow the landing briefing.
What the licence requires
According to a February 2026 report in the Moroccan business press, an operating licence is personal and can be withdrawn. It requires a technical operating certificate, approved flight zones, compulsory insurance for passengers and third parties, two VHF radios on board, a ceiling below 3,000 feet and pilots with a professional licence. Every flight is reported to the authorities and the gendarmerie beforehand.
Balloons may fly only in the early morning. Evening flights are not allowed at all, so an offer of a sunset balloon is one to pass on.
The 2025 sanctions
In May 2025 an airline crew approaching Marrakech Menara airport reported balloons flying higher than permitted. The authorities then sanctioned several operators, with measures that Moroccan media described as ranging from suspensions of some months to the withdrawal of licences. The names of the companies were not published, and this site does not guess them. Flights resumed in late 2025 under a stricter framework.
The licences are renewed every six months. In June 2026 Moroccan media reported that delays in the renewal kept fleets on the ground for several days at a time. For you, that is a cancellation risk on top of the weather, and one more reason to fly early in your stay.
Landing
A balloon cannot be steered sideways; the pilot chooses the landing field from what the wind allows, as AtlasMontgolfière writes on its listing. Most landings are gentle, but some end with the basket tipping onto its side. In February 2026 Moroccan media reported a hard landing in which passengers were hurt; the operator was not named. Before take-off the pilot shows the landing position. Take it seriously, and put your phone away when the pilot calls for it.
Weight limits
Three operators state a weight limit per passenger on the listings compared here:
| Operator | Weight limit |
|---|---|
| Marrakech By Air | 110 kg |
| MarrakeshBallooning | 100 kg |
| Palms Ballooning | 110 kg |
Marrakech By Air asks heavier guests to get in touch before booking, MarrakeshBallooning after booking, and both mention a possible extra fee. If a listing states no limit, ask the operator before the morning rather than at the launch site.
Health and mobility
Most listings exclude pregnant women, and many exclude people with heart problems. Others add back problems (Marrakech Dream Ballooning, Palms Ballooning, the small-group flight of Menara Excursions), high blood pressure (Marrakech Dream Ballooning), a fear of heights (AtlasMontgolfière and the Menara small-group flight), recent surgery (Ciel d’Afrique and the Menara small-group flight) and altitude sickness (the Menara sunrise flight). AtlasMontgolfière lists wheelchair users as not suitable and the Palms flight is not wheelchair accessible, while Ciel d’Afrique accepts guests with limited mobility if they have help. The card of each flight lists its own exclusions.
The drive
The drive deserves the same care as the flight. Pickups run in the dark, and reviewers of more than one operator describe drivers in a hurry. If your driver goes too fast, ask them to slow down.
No balloons over the desert
According to Moroccan press reports, Agafay has not been an approved flight zone since late 2021, and no permits are given near the border around Merzouga. A balloon over the Sahara is therefore not something you can book from Marrakech. If the dunes are part of your trip, the desert tours are compared on Marrakech Sahara.
Passengers on feeling safe
Most reviews mention the pilots and how safe guests felt in the basket. One guest describes a driver who went too fast, and another a rough landing field where the crew came to pick the group up.
“Amazing experience!!! Our provider was Marrakesh by Air and they were fabulous. Our pilot was Vu and he was brilliant, very informative, has many years and many miles of experience. I’m not good with heights but I felt safe and thought the landing would be bumpy but it wasn’t. The organisation on …”
“The balloon instructor was very good, very friendly, and made us feel at ease. However, our driver was not pleasant at all, did not communicate with us, did not give any instructions and drove dangerously. We were disappointed in that regard.”
“Really fun experience and well organised felt very safe :)”
“The whole experience was magical, we were collected from the hotel on time and taken to be signed in. We were offered tea and pastries before heading to our balloon. The flight was fantastic and we were made to feel safe at all times. Highly recommend this company the whole experience was fantastic.”
“Enjoyed the flight & breakfast immensely. The only thing I would comment on was the terrain the balloon landed on. … the pilot & his colleagues did stop after we'd been walking for ten minutes & picked us up in their vehicle …”
Reviews written after the flight, from GetYourGuide.
FAQ
Are hot air balloon operators in Marrakech licensed?
Yes. Operators need a licence from the Moroccan transport ministry, approved flight zones, compulsory insurance and professionally licensed pilots, and each flight is reported in advance. The licence is renewed every six months.
Which operators were sanctioned in 2025?
The authorities did not publish the names. Moroccan media reported that several operators were sanctioned after balloons were seen too high near Marrakech airport in May 2025.
Is the landing dangerous?
Usually not, but it can be bumpy, and baskets sometimes tip over. The pilot shows the landing position before take-off; holding it protects your back and knees.
Can I fly when pregnant?
Most listings name pregnant women as not suitable. Where a listing says nothing, ask the operator before you book.
Is there a weight limit?
On some listings, yes: 100 or 110 kg per passenger where it is stated. Heavier guests are asked to contact the operator and may pay extra.
Compare the listings
Every card lists insurance, weight limits and exclusions where the operator states them.
See the comparison