Aerophile
Aerophile (Paris, founded 1993) designs, manufactures, and operates large tethered balloons for aerial tourism and air quality applications. The company sells tethered balloons and Aerobar attractions globally while directly operating balloon attractions and air purification systems for theme parks, cities, and cruise lines.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aerophile does
Aerophile SAS, founded in Paris in 1993 by École Polytechnique alumni Jérôme Giacomoni and Matthieu Gobbi, designs, manufactures, and operates large tethered (captive) balloons for passenger transportation, aerial tourism, and specialized scientific applications. The company operates as the self-identified world leader in this niche, with a cumulative installed base of 120 balloons across 40 countries, 7 directly operated sites, and more than 15 million lifetime passengers flown. Core products span the flagship Ballon Captif (passenger balloon), the Aerobar (tethered balloon integrated into a 35-meter metal structure carrying up to 16 passengers, operational up to 70 km/h winds), the Aerophare (captive balloon sliding in a metal tower for shopping malls), the Air Quality Monitoring Balloon (sensor-equipped platform running continuously in Paris since 2008 with CNRS and AirParif), and the Para-PM/Aerophiltre outdoor particulate-matter capture systems commercialized since 2021. Aerophile is a vertically integrated design-build-operate business that both sells balloons to enterprise clients and operates attractions directly. The company holds 8 patents and operates through subsidiaries including Aerotourism, Aerophile Orlando, Aerophile California, AEROPRINCE, and OPERAPRINCE under parent AEROGROUPE SAS. Public-sector engagements include the Paris 2024 Olympic cauldron balloon (seen by approximately 1.5 billion viewers) and the SOLIDEO-commissioned Aerophiltre deployment at the Athletes' Village. The company divested its ancillary Parc du Petit Prince amusement park to Poland's Ptak Group in 2025, refocusing on the core tethered balloon and air purification businesses.
Aerophile firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aerophile
- Legal name
- AEROPHILE SAS
- Website
- https://aerophile.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Aerophile (Paris, founded 1993) designs, manufactures, and operates large tethered balloons for aerial tourism and air quality applications. The company sells tethered balloons and Aerobar attractions globally while directly operating balloon attractions and air purification systems for theme parks, cities, and cruise lines.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aerophile industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tethered Balloon Manufacturing and Operations
- NAICS
- Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131), All Other Amusement and Recreation Industries (713990)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scenic/Tour & Aerial Sightseeing Flights (TLAFABAJ)
Keywords
Where Aerophile is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Aerophile business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
Revenue model
- Tethered Balloon Sales: Aerophile sells captive/tethered balloons to clients worldwide. They have sold approximately 120 balloons across 40 countries. Sales include the balloon itself along with operational systems and training.
- Balloon Operations: Aerophile operates captive balloons directly at tourist attractions and landmarks. They manage 7 sites worldwide including the Generali Balloon at Parc André-Citroën in Paris, Disneyland Paris PanoraMagique, and Disney Springs Orlando. They fly over 500,000 passengers annually and over 1 million per year.
- Aerobar Attractions: The Aerobar is a tethered balloon with a metal structure carrying passengers, installed at theme parks and entertainment venues. Approximately 20 Aerobars have been sold/installed worldwide at sites including Futuroscope, Parc du Petit Prince, Las Vegas Area15, Biloxi, and Abu Dhabi.
- Air Quality Monitoring Services: The Paris Generali balloon operates as a 'flying laboratory' measuring air pollution in partnership with AirParif, CNRS, and Paris City Hall. This scientific partnership may generate revenue through research grants and environmental monitoring contracts.
- Merchandise and Upcycling: Aerophile sells merchandise made from upcycled balloon canvas, including cases, laptop sleeves, and bags. Products are sold online and at the Ballon de Paris Generali store. Prices range from 15€ to 49€.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Upcycled merchandise - Round case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Upcycled merchandise - Flat case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Upcycled merchandise - Tablet case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Upcycled merchandise - 13 inch laptop case |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Book - Extraordinary Stories of Balloons |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Aerophile product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aerophile designs, manufactures, and operates large tethered (captive) balloons used as passenger aerial tourism attractions at theme parks, tourist destinations, and city landmarks. Its portfolio includes the standard Ballon Captif, the Aerobar aerial bar attraction (tethered balloon with a 35-meter metal structure), the Aerophare captive balloon in a metal tower, the Air Quality Balloon equipped with pollutant sensors, and the Para-PM / Aerophiltre outdoor particulate-matter capture and depolluting urban furniture systems.
Product overview
Aerophile is a designer, manufacturer, and operator of tethered balloons, operating as the world leader in captive balloons with 120 balloons sold in 40 countries and over 1 million passengers carried annually. The product portfolio centers on tethered balloon technology for aerial tourism, with variations including standard passenger balloons (Ballon Captif), air quality monitoring balloons (Ballon qualité de l'air), and the Aerobar aerial bar attraction. Beyond passenger transport, the company has expanded into air quality technology with Para-PM particulate matter capture systems and Aerophiltre depolluting urban furniture. The company also offers ancillary products including recycled canvas accessories from retired balloon sails. Aerophile provides complete design-build-operate services, having executed major events including the Rio 2016 Olympics, America's Cup Valencia 2007, and the Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron balloon.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aerobar: A tethered balloon surrounded by a metal structure 35 meters high, in which a basket can carry up to 16 passengers — the world's first aerial bar attraction.
- Para-PM
- Aerophiltre
- Aerophare
- PanoraMagique
- Olympic Cauldron Balloon (Vasque Olympique)
Products and services
- Tethered Balloon (Ballon Captif) Large captive balloons that carry passengers for aerial tourism experiences at landmark locations worldwide, including Paris, Disneyland Paris, and other tourist destinations. The balloons are tethered to the ground and operate in various wind conditions.
- Air Quality Balloon (Ballon qualité de l'air) Specialized tethered balloon equipped with sensors to measure air quality and pollutants in real time. Used for scientific research and public awareness of air quality issues. Partnered with AirParif, CNRS, and Météo France for data collection.
- Aerobar An aerial bar attraction featuring a tethered balloon surrounded by a metal structure 35 meters high with a basket carrying up to 16 passengers. Can operate in winds up to 70 km/h. Installed at theme parks worldwide.
- Aerophare Captive balloon system that slides in a metal tower, designed for shopping malls and urban environments. Combines vertical ascent/descent capability with a compact footprint.
- Para-PM Innovative outdoor air purification system for capturing particulate matters (PM), adapted to outdoor or semi-open spaces. Demonstrated 30% average reduction in fine-particle pollution in testing.
- Aerophiltre Depolluting urban furniture incorporating Para-PM technology in shade structures. Selected by SOLIDEO for the Athletes' Village at Paris 2024 Olympics in Saint-Denis.
- Aero30para Product variant in the company's tethered balloon lineup.
- Recycled Canvas Products Upcycled accessories made from used sails of retired tethered balloons, including round cases, flat cases, tablet cases, and laptop cases. Produced in partnership with the Vent de Voyage workshop, with social integration workshop participation. 100% made in France.
- Balloon Book (Extraordinary Stories of Balloons) Book titled 'Extraordinary Stories of Balloons: From the Hot-Air Balloon to the Olympic Bowl' by Jérôme Giacomoni and Matthieu Gobbi. Chronicles 250 years of balloon history including the first manned flight in 1783 to the Olympic Cauldron launch in 2024. Published by Flammarion, 192 pages.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% reduction in fine-particle pollution in school playground using Para-PM technology
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aerophile
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Aerophile technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Aerophile partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Royal Caribbean CruisesmajorLoyal partnership for tethered balloon installations at cruise destinations. New balloon installed at Cococay Island in the Bahamas in 2024.
- SOLIDEO (Société de Livraison des Ouvrages Olympiques)majorAerophiltre depolluting shades with Para-PM technology selected to equip the Athletes' Village in Saint-Denis for Paris 2024 Olympics.
- Mathieu LehanneurmajorDesigner of the Olympic Cauldron for Paris 2024. Aerophile designed, built, and operated the balloon that lifted the Olympic flame.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreScientific research partnership since 2008 for real-time air quality measurement using the Paris Generali balloon. Collaboration to calculate and monitor air pollution in Paris.
- DisneycoreLong-standing partnership with Disney for tethered balloons at Disneyland Paris (PanoraMagique since 2005) and Disney Springs Orlando (since 2009). Aerophile is the exclusive tethered balloon provider for Disney properties.
- Paris City HallcorePartnership for the Generali Balloon at Parc André-Citroën since 1999. Balloon serves as both tourist attraction and air quality monitoring station in partnership with AirParif and CNRS.
- AirParifcoreAir quality monitoring partnership using the Generali Balloon to measure pollutants in Paris atmosphere.
- Generali FrancecoreNaming rights partnership for the Ballon de Paris Generali at Parc André-Citroën. Partnership includes video collaboration for air quality content.
- IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions)minorOfficial partner and member. Aerophile participates in IAAPA Expo, IAAPA Expo Asia, and IAAPA Expo Europe as exhibitor and speaker.
- Vent de VoyageminorArtisanal workshop in Saint-Malo region that transforms used balloon canvas into bags and decorative objects through upcycling partnership.
- EDFminorOlympic partner for the Paris 2024 Cauldron Balloon project at the Tuileries Gardens.
- Louvre MuseumminorOlympic partner for the Paris 2024 Cauldron Balloon project at the Tuileries Gardens near the Louvre.
- CNOSF (Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français)minorFrench National Olympic Committee - Olympic partner for the Paris 2024 Cauldron Balloon project.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Aerophile competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cameron Balloons: The world's largest manufacturer of hot air balloons, based in Bristol, UK. Cameron is the most direct comparable to Aerophile on the balloon-manufacturing side, though Cameron primarily serves sport and recreational pilots rather than commercial tourism operators.
- Lindstrand Balloons: UK-based designer and manufacturer of hot air balloons and airships, founded by Per Lindstrand. Comparable to Aerophile as a high-end lighter-than-air craft manufacturer serving both commercial and bespoke applications.
- Kubicek Balloons: Czech manufacturer of hot air balloons and special-shape balloons, one of Europe's largest balloon producers. Direct comparable to Aerophile in balloon manufacturing scale and international export footprint.
- Thunder & Colt: UK-based balloon manufacturer known for special-shape and large passenger balloons. Comparable to Aerophile in producing large-format balloons used in commercial and event applications.
- Ultramagic Balloons: Spanish hot air balloon manufacturer with global distribution. Comparable to Aerophile as a balloon OEM supplying commercial operators worldwide, though focused on sport/recreational markets.
Broad incumbents
- One World Observatory: Operates the observation deck at One World Trade Center in New York. Comparable to Aerophile as a destination attraction selling elevated sightseeing experiences to tourists, though delivered via indoor observation rather than tethered balloon flight.
- Edge at Hudson Yards: Outdoor observation deck in Manhattan offering elevated skyline views. Adjacent competitor for tourist 'elevated experience' dollars; both Edge and Aerophile monetize the same underlying visitor desire for elevated sightseeing.
- Airbus Helicopters (Scenic Tour Operators): Major OEM of helicopters used in commercial scenic tour operations worldwide. Comparable to Aerophile as a supplier of aircraft enabling aerial sightseeing experiences, though serving helicopter-based tour operators rather than tethered balloon attractions.
Others
- IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions): Global trade association for the attractions industry, of which Aerophile is an active member. Comparable as the ecosystem and channel through which Aerophile reaches theme park customers and showcases tethered balloon technology at IAAPA Expos.
Emerging players
- IQAir: Swiss air quality technology company selling indoor/outdoor air purifiers and monitoring systems. Comparable to Aerophile's Para-PM/Aerophiltre business in addressing particulate matter capture, though IQAir operates at a substantially larger scale and broader geographic reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aerophile social profiles
Digital presenceAerophile financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aerophile leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Aerophile subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Aerophile funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aerophile M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aerophile
What does Aerophile do?
Aerophile designs, manufactures, and operates large tethered (captive) balloons used as passenger aerial tourism attractions at theme parks, tourist destinations, and city landmarks. Its portfolio includes the standard Ballon Captif, the Aerobar aerial bar attraction (tethered balloon with a 35-meter metal structure), the Aerophare captive balloon in a metal tower, the Air Quality Balloon equipped with pollutant sensors, and the Para-PM / Aerophiltre outdoor particulate-matter capture and depolluting urban furniture systems.
Is Aerophile a public or private company?
Aerophile is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Aerophile founded?
Aerophile was founded in 1993. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aerophile based?
Aerophile is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Aerophile make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tethered Balloon Sales are the primary driver. The others are balloon Operations, aerobar Attractions, air Quality Monitoring Services and merchandise and Upcycling.
Who are Aerophile's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cameron Balloons, Lindstrand Balloons, Kubicek Balloons, Thunder & Colt and Ultramagic Balloons. Broad incumbents are One World Observatory, Edge at Hudson Yards and Airbus Helicopters (Scenic Tour Operators). IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) is listed as an others. IQAir is listed as an emerging player.
Does Aerophile have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aerophile.
What industry is Aerophile in?
Aerophile's product category is Tethered Balloon Manufacturing and Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAFABAJ, Scenic/Tour & Aerial Sightseeing Flights. Its NAICS code is 7131 and its SIC code is 7900.