Marrakech Air Show 2026: Balloon Flights Suspended 5–10 October

The short answer

There are no hot air balloon flights in Marrakech from Monday 5 October to Saturday 10 October 2026, inclusive. The suspension is due to the Marrakech Air Show 2026, the international aerospace and defence show held at the Royal Moroccan Air Force base in Marrakech.

Flights resume at sunrise on Sunday 11 October 2026.

If you had booked one of those mornings, you lose nothing. You can move your flight free of charge to any available date from 11 October, or receive a full refund.

Suspension at a glance

What is the Marrakech Air Show 2026?

The Marrakech Air Show is Africa's largest aerospace, defence and space exhibition. It is held every two years, has run since 2008 (it began as AeroExpo Marrakech), and takes place under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.

The 2026 edition, the eighth, runs from 7 to 10 October 2026 at the Royal Moroccan Air Force School Base in Marrakech. It is co-organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the National Defence Administration, the Royal Armed Forces, the Royal Air Force and the Royal Gendarmerie. Around 200 exhibitors are expected, including Airbus, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Safran, Thales and Embraer, alongside official delegations from dozens of countries. The previous edition, in 2024, drew close to 30,000 visitors.

The show is not only an indoor trade fair. It includes a large static display of military and civil aircraft on the tarmac and flying demonstrations in the skies above the city, often featuring the Marche Verte, the Royal Moroccan Air Force aerobatic team.

Why are balloon flights suspended?

A hot air balloon has no engine and no rudder. It drifts with the wind and shares the sky with everything else that flies. During the Air Show, the skies around Marrakech are anything but quiet:

• The air base shares its runway with Marrakech-Menara airport. Military display aircraft, visiting delegations and the usual airline traffic all use the same infrastructure.
• Flying demonstrations need reserved airspace. As at every air show, the display area is kept clear for set time slots.
• The show needs preparation. Aircraft arrive, rehearse and position in the days before the public opening on 7 October, which is why the suspension starts on 5 October.

Our balloons launch from the Palmeraie, north of the city, and every flight depends on calm, predictable conditions. Safety has always been the one rule we never bend, so for these six mornings the balloons stay on the ground. It is the same principle that guides a weather cancellation, which we explain in our guide to what happens when a balloon flight is cancelled.

I booked a flight between 5 and 10 October: what now?

If you booked directly with us, we contact you by WhatsApp, phone or email to arrange the change. You have two options:

1. Free rescheduling. Move your flight to any available morning from Sunday 11 October, at no extra cost. If you are still in Marrakech on the 11th or later, this is the easiest way to keep the experience in your trip.
2. Full refund. If no new date fits your plans, you receive a full refund. There are no cancellation fees.

You do not have to wait for us. If you would rather sort it out straight away, message us on WhatsApp at +212 664-577633 or write to info@marrakechbyballoon.com with your name and original flight date. If you booked through an online platform, we coordinate with them, but you can also contact us directly to speed things up.

Travelling to Marrakech this week?

• Book your balloon flight from 11 October. If your stay overlaps the end of the suspension, choose one of your first mornings after it. Mornings just after the show may fill quickly, because guests moved from the suspended days are also being rebooked.
• Keep a spare morning. Flights always depend on the weather, so leave yourself a second morning as a backup.
• Check your airline flight. Marrakech-Menara is busier than usual during the show. Check your flight status the day before and the morning of departure, and leave a little extra time to reach the airport.
• Plan a different sunrise. While the balloons are grounded, Marrakech still has plenty of early-morning experiences. Our guide to sunrise activities in Marrakech has ideas.

We'll be back in the air on 11 October

Six quiet mornings, then the balloons return over the Palmeraie with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. October is one of the best months of the year to fly in Marrakech: mild mornings, clear air and soft autumn light. If you are planning your trip, book your hot air balloon ride in Marrakech for any date from 11 October, or compare our flights to choose between a shared, private or VIP experience.

We are sorry for the inconvenience to guests who had planned to fly with us this week, and thank you for your understanding.