Thirteen balloon flights affiliated to six different travel agencies were launched at dawn Monday in Luxor, said Ahmed Abboud, head of the Egyptian union for balloon flights.

As many as 279 tourists from different nationalities were on board the balloons, he said in statements Monday.

The number of flights increased today by four additional flights compared to Sunday where as nine flights only were launched at dawn carrying 176 tourists, he added.

He said that it is expected that the number of balloon flights would increase within the coming days due to increase in number of air flights from Japan, Germany and England in addition to Egyptian visitors, he said.

Source: MENA