Internationally renowned experience
Managing Director John Sanby
John Sanby established the business and was responsible for making ballooning available for the first time on a large scale through established tourist booking channels. He has attended every Australian Tourism Exchange since 1986 and is well known to agents all over the world. He has flown over 2000 hours in the world’s largest balloons and has an impeccable safety record.
Chief Pilot John Wallington
John Wallington has spent the last 30 years working on all aspects of ballooning businesses in Canberra, The Gold Coast, Brisbane, Cairns, Alice Springs and China. In addition to managing passenger operations John is the Chief Flying Instructor for Outback Ballooning’s approved Pilot Training School. His achievements include being twice Australian National Ballooning Champion and the first record breaking balloon flights non-stop across Australia and from New Zealand to Australia. He holds the Australian records for the longest and highest flights ever in a balloon.
Operations
Outback Ballooning has been operating in Alice Springs since 1986, and is one of Australia’s largest and longest established ballooning companies. We operate everyday, weather permitting.
Our fleet of large balloons carrying from 4 to 20 passengers each, provides great booking flexibility. The reliable desert weather means we have one of the lowest cancellation rates in the world.
In Alice Springs carrying capacity is 100 passengers per morning, which allows us to cater for FIT, group travel, incentives, special interest and private charter markets. As we increase capacity simply by flying more balloons everyone receives personal attention no matter how many or few people are flying on the day.
Northern Territory Tourism Accreditation audited quality assurance program, ensures that tour companies, inbound operators, wholesalers and retail agents may book with us with confidence. Passengers can be assured that we are committed to providing a safe high quality product.
Mark Petering is Operations Manager. Mark has been in the ballooning industry for 25 years. He is committed to customer service and to ensuring our clients enjoy all aspects, from bookings to the flight itself, of their experience with Outback Ballooning. He or his assistant may be contacted by phone seven days a week between 7am and 9pm. All emails will be promptly answered by Office Manager Diana Mo.
Maintenance
Outback Ballooning is a Civil Aviation Safety Authority approved balloon maintenance organization and balloons are licensed aircraft. Byron Hall, with over 20 years of experience, leads our team of fully qualified maintainers to ensure all balloons are delivered to the highest standards for your enjoyment and safety.
