Ultramagic Balloons

What Ultramagic Balloons does

Ultramagic Balloons (ULTRAMAGIC, SA) is a privately held Spanish manufacturer of complete hot air balloon systems, founded in 1980 and headquartered at the Igualada aerodrome near Barcelona. The company designs and produces the three principal subsystems in-house: envelopes, baskets and burners, with product lines spanning single-seat sports balloons through to 32-passenger commercial ride systems. Its sub-brands address distinct use-cases: The Racer for competition pilots, the Tekno Series for ultralight travel and reduced-weight logistics, Eco Magic for double-layer fuel-efficient envelopes, Solo Duo for tandem configurations, and Airismagic for cold-air advertising inflatables. Proprietary technology includes the FuelTek electronic gas-management system and the FlightPack tablet application for pilots, alongside composite-material Tekno baskets.

Commercial activity is organised around a global authorised-dealer and exclusive-distributor network covering more than 30 countries, with dedicated operating companies in Mexico (Ultramagic America) and the United Kingdom (Ultramagic UK), and a 2023 strategic alliance with Lindstrand Balloons USA opening direct US distribution under dedicated leadership (John Petrehn, 2023). Revenue is generated from one-time hardware sales of complete balloon systems, special-shape advertising inflatables, replacement parts and aftermarket accessories (including the 2024 MagicPatch Repair Tape and the 2020 Electric Inflation Fan), and EASA-approved pilot training courses priced at approximately 7,000 EUR per course under the firm's Approved Training Organisation status. Pricing is quote-based through dealers rather than publicly listed. Customer segments include commercial ride operators, FAI-affiliated competition pilots, advertising and special-shape clients, national federations, and private pilots, with marketing centred on sponsorship of FAI world and European championships, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Ch\u00e2teau d'Oex festival and the in-house Ultramagic Experience expedition programme.

Name

Ultramagic Balloons

Legal name

ULTRAMAGIC, SA

Website

https://ultramagic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Privately held Spanish manufacturer of complete hot air balloon systems (envelopes, baskets, burners) serving commercial operators, competition pilots, advertisers and private owners across more than 30 countries through authorised dealers, and operating an EASA-approved pilot training organisation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hot Air Balloon Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720)

akta.pro primary industry

Business & General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturing (IMABAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aerial Adventure & Flight Schools (Paragliding, Hang Gliding, Paramotoring) (THAAAKAA)

Keywords

• Hot air balloon manufacturing
• Balloon envelope systems
• Inflatable advertising products
• Balloon pilot training
• Competition balloon equipment

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hot Air Balloon Systems: Manufacture and sale of complete balloon systems including envelopes, baskets, burners, and ancillary equipment for recreational, commercial, and competition use. Sizes range from 1-person sports balloons to 32-passenger ride balloon systems.
2. Special Shapes and Custom Balloons: Custom-designed special shape balloons and add-on shapes for advertising, promotional, and unique flying applications.
3. Inflatables: Production and sale of inflatable advertising products including Tip Tops, bottles, goal arches, tents, columns, and custom shapes under the Airismagic brand, plus distribution of Zepelin Axion Line products.
4. Pilot Training Services: EASA-approved flight training for balloon pilot licenses including theoretical knowledge and practical flight training. Course includes 16 hours of flight training leading to private balloon license for 120,000 cubic feet balloons.
5. Replacement Parts and Accessories: Ancillary products including burners, repair materials like MagicPatch tape, and technical support services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Ultramagic manufactures and sells complete hot air balloon systems—including envelopes, baskets, burners, and ancillary equipment—in sizes from 1-person sports balloons to 32-passenger commercial ride systems. The company also produces advertising inflatable products (Tip Tops, bottles, arches, tents, columns, custom shapes) under the Airismagic brand, and operates an EASA-approved Training Organisation providing pilot licensing courses.

Product overview

Ultramagic Balloons is a hot air balloon manufacturer with over 40 years of experience, offering a comprehensive portfolio of balloon products and related services. The core product line includes balloon envelope systems (sizes from 1-person sports to 32-passenger ride systems), baskets, burners, and ancillary equipment. Key sub-brands include The Racer (competition balloons), Eco Magic (double-layer ecological balloons), Tekno Series (ultralight portable systems), and Solo Duo (compact ultralight models). The company also operates Airismagic, a division producing advertising inflatables including Tip Tops, bottles, goal arches, tents, columns, cans, and special custom shapes. Additional offerings include a Training School (EASA-approved ATO), the FlightPack tablet application, Design Your Balloon customization tool, Magic Patch repair tape, and Electric Inflation Fans. The product line spans from specialized competition equipment to recreational balloons, commercial advertising inflatables, and pilot training services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Airismagic: The inflatable division of Ultramagic, manufacturing promotional inflatable products including bottles, cans, columns, goal arches, tents, and custom-shaped inflatables.
• Tekno
• The Racer
• Eco Magic
• Solo Duo

Products and services

• Hot Air Balloon Systems (Envelopes)

Quantifiable outcome

• Dominic Bareford won 23rd Coupe d'Europe de Montgolfières 2024 overall title, with 2nd place Stephanie Hemmings and 3rd place Kenian Dekein all flying Ultramagic Racers
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lindstrand Balloons USAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2023Strategic alliance between Ultramagic Balloons and Lindstrand Balloons USA announced in August 2023. The partnership involves sharing resources, expertise and capabilities to propel both companies to new heights in the US market. John Petrehn was hired to lead Ultramagic USA operations as part of this alliance.
• ZepelincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 June 2015Zepelin is Ultramagic's exclusive distributor for the complete range of Zepelin brand products for the Iberian Peninsula. Zepelin is Ultramagic's representative for Slovakia. Zepelin is a highly specialized company in manufacturing watertight inflatable structures, including the Axion line of pneumatic tents and inflatable furniture. Ultramagic also manufactures their own inflatable products under the Airismagic brand.
• Balloon Federation of AmericaminorOthersCoverage and feature placement in the Ballooning Journal (Journal of the Balloon Federation of America) discussing the Ultramagic Experience 2021 expedition over Kilimanjaro.
• Now That's LogisticsminorOthersLogistics company that published a press article about shipping balloons for the Argentina Ultramagic Experience expedition.
• Real Federación Aeronáutica EspañolaminorOthersSpanish Aeronautical Federation partnered with Ultramagic's ATO training school for subsidized pilot training programs under the Women and Sports program.
• Council Superior d'Esports (Spain)minorOthersSpanish Higher Sports Council provided subsidies for pilot training courses at Ultramagic ATO under the Women and Sports program, offering 50% discount on course fees.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cameron Balloons: Cameron Balloons is the largest hot air balloon manufacturer in the world, headquartered in Bristol, UK. They build complete balloon systems for recreational, commercial, and special-shape applications, directly competing with Ultramagic across the same product categories and customer segments.
• Aerostar International: Manufacturer of lighter-than-air aircraft including hot air balloons, headquartered in South Dakota, USA. They produce a full range of balloons for sport, commercial, and military applications, overlapping with Ultramagic's core envelope and basket business.
• Kubicek Balloons: Czech Republic-based hot air balloon manufacturer producing a wide range of standard, competition, and special-shape balloons. One of the established European manufacturers alongside Ultramagic, Cameron, and Lindstrand.
• Lindstrand Balloons: UK-based hot air balloon manufacturer founded by Per Lindstrand, with a US operation. Ultramagic and Lindstrand are direct competitors in most markets and strategic partners in the US via the 2023 alliance, sharing resources, expertise, and US infrastructure.
• Firefly Balloons: UK-based hot air balloon manufacturer specializing in special-shape balloons and promotional inflatables. They compete directly with Ultramagic's special shape and Airismagic advertising product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Cirrus Aircraft: Premium general aviation aircraft manufacturer known for the SR20 and SR22 series. Operates in the broader personal and recreational general aviation market that includes Ultramagic's hot air balloon systems as a comparable mode of personal flight.
• Textron Aviation: Major general aviation manufacturer producing Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft. While not a hot air balloon maker, they share the broader general aviation and light aircraft manufacturing market with Ultramagic, both being regulated aircraft OEMs.

Emerging players

• Avian Balloon Company: Smaller US-based hot air balloon manufacturer offering custom and standard balloons. They compete with Ultramagic in the US market, particularly in special-shape and custom applications.
• Allsopp Helikites: UK-based manufacturer of lighter-than-air advertising and surveillance products (helikites). They overlap with Ultramagic's Airismagic division in the inflatable advertising and aerial display market, serving similar marketing customers.

Others

• Zepelin: Spanish manufacturer of watertight inflatable structures including the Axion line of pneumatic tents and inflatable furniture. Ultramagic is the exclusive distributor of Zepelin products in Iberia and a collaborator in the inflatable products space, making them an ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC4HJQRcM3Dl_8rTrggagkag/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/ultramagicballons
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ultramagic-sa
• Instagraminstagram.com/ultramagic_balloons
• Xx.com/umballoons

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ultramagic Balloons