Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV

What Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV does

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV is the oldest commercial hot air balloon operator in the Netherlands, founded in 1983 by Ad Haarhuis (the first Dutch-licensed hot air balloon pilot) and headquartered in Galder, North Brabant. Following a January 2023 ownership transition to pilots Sven de Hoogd and Maikel Kouwenberg, the company operates a fleet of 25 hot air balloons sourced primarily from Ultra Magic Balloons (Spain), supported by 10+ pilots and approximately 60 crew members. The fleet mix includes standard passenger balloons, special-shape balloons, branded corporate balloons, the historic PH-BEN (first registered Dutch hot air balloon, 1970), and the PH-ZBB wheelchair-accessible balloon.

The company generates revenue through direct-to-consumer passenger balloon flights (economy fares starting at €200 per person; premium Duo Air Chair Hopper experience at €750 per person), private charters, corporate packages (bedrijfsuitje, relatievaarten), branded advertising balloons (reclameballon), gift tickets, and last-minute discounted inventory. Specialty products include silence/meditation flights (75 minutes, max 6 passengers, double-walled balloon), good morning flights, night flights, accessible flights for people with physical disabilities, and heritage flights in the PH-BEN. The company also operates an approved in-house balloon maintenance business serving both its own fleet and external clients.

Ad Ballon sells exclusively through its own channels — a three-step online booking system at adballon.nl, supplemented by telephone and WhatsApp — with no third-party resellers. Flights operate from 11 regional launch fields across the Netherlands (Breda, Arnhem, Amersfoort, Zwolle, Bergen op Zoom, Dordrecht, Eindhoven, Den Bosch, Nijmegen, Roosendaal, Tilburg) and 3 Belgian locations acquired through the January 2025 takeover of Hoogstraats Balloon Team BVBA. Customer mix is split between individual consumers (gift occasions, celebrations, family outings) and corporate clients (team outings, client entertainment, branded advertising), with a 4.9/5 Google rating across 425 reviews reflecting strong consumer brand equity.

Name

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV

Legal name

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten B.V.

Website

https://adballon.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV is the oldest Dutch hot air balloon operator, founded 1983, running a 25-balloon fleet across the Netherlands and Belgium. It sells direct-to-consumer passenger flights, private charters, corporate events, branded advertising balloons, and accessibility flights to individuals and businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hot Air Balloon Flight Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

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

Keywords

• Hot air balloon flights
• Passenger balloon rides
• Corporate balloon events
• Balloon advertising services
• Accessible balloon flights

Headquarters

HQ city

Galder

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Passenger Balloon Flight Tickets: Core revenue stream from individual and group hot air balloon flight tickets. Tickets are sold per person with prices starting from €200 for economy flights. Individual tickets, gift tickets, and group bookings are available across all regional locations in the Netherlands and Belgium.
2. Private/Charter Balloon Flights: Exclusive charter of an entire balloon for a single party, without other passengers in the basket. Used for romantic occasions, family outings, corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, or marriage proposals.
3. Corporate / Business Balloon Flights: Business-oriented balloon experiences including company outings (bedrijfsuitje), client entertainment (relatievaarten), and advertising flights (reclameballon/exposurevaarten). Tailored balloon programs for business clients.
4. Specialty Flight Experiences: Premium niche experiences including the Duo Air Chair Hopper (€750 per person), Good Morning Flight, Night Flight, Silence/Meditation Flight (75 minutes, max 6 passengers), and accessible flights for disabled passengers. These command higher price points than standard economy flights.
5. Advertising Balloons (Reclameballon): Hot air balloons branded with company logos or messages used as a mobile advertising medium, generating exposure for corporate clients.
6. Balloon Maintenance Services: Ad Ballon operates an approved balloon maintenance company, performing annual inspections (similar to APK), repairs, and refurbishments — including work for external clients such as Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV operates a fleet of approximately 25 hot air balloons providing passenger balloon flight experiences for individuals and businesses across the Netherlands and Belgium. The company offers standard economy flights, private charters, specialty experiences (silent/meditation, historical PH-BEN, Duo Air Chair Hopper), accessible flights for passengers with physical disabilities, corporate outings, client entertainment flights, and branded advertising balloons. Additional services include gift tickets, last-minute discounted tickets, and approved balloon maintenance and inspection services.

Product overview

Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV operates as a comprehensive hot air balloon flight service provider offering a portfolio of balloon ride experiences. The company operates a fleet of approximately 25 hot air balloons from its base in Galder near Breda, serving both private individuals and corporate clients across the Netherlands and Belgium. The core product offerings include standard Economy Balloon Rides for up to 12 passengers, Private/Charter Flights for exclusive group experiences, and specialty experiences such as Good Morning Flights, Night Flights, Family Rides, and the unique Silent/Meditation Flight in a double-walled balloon. The company also serves the accessibility market with specially adapted baskets for passengers with physical disabilities (partnered with Zonnebloem). Corporate services include team outings, client relations flights, and advertising balloon flights. Premium offerings include the Duo Air Chair Hopper (2-seat experience) and historic flights in the PH-BEN, the oldest registered Dutch hot air balloon. Additional services include gift tickets, last-minute discounted tickets, and pilot training through its recognized balloon maintenance and training center. Since 2025, operations expanded to Belgium following the acquisition of Hoogstraats Balloon Team, covering the Noorderkempen region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Economy Balloonvaart (Standaard Ballonvaart) Standard hot air balloon flight experience for individuals and groups; approximately 1 hour of flight time with a 3-4 hour total program including setup and landing ceremony. Capacity up to 12 passengers plus pilot. Starting price €200 per person.
• Privévaart (Private Balloon Ride) Exclusive charter of an entire balloon for a single party with no other passengers. Suited for romantic occasions, family outings, corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, or marriage proposals.
• Good Morning Flight Hot air balloon flight departing just before sunrise, offering panoramic early-day views as a unique way to begin the day.
• Nacht Ballonvaart (Night Balloon Ride) Evening/night hot air balloon flight targeted at adventure-seeking passengers looking for a unique after-dark aerial experience.
• Familievaart (Family Balloon Ride) Family balloon outing designed for groups that include children, creating a multi-generational aerial experience (minimum passenger age 12).
• Mindervalide Ballonvaart (Accessible Balloon Ride) Hot air balloon flight using the PH-ZBB balloon with a wheelchair-accessible basket (door, two seated positions, four standing positions, adjustable seat that raises during flight). Booked as a private balloon for 6 persons. Primary launch location Breda.
• Stilte Vaart (Silent / Meditation Balloon Ride) Meditation hot air balloon flight in a double-walled quiet balloon; 75-minute duration, max 6 passengers, no talking during flight, includes pre-flight briefing with coffee/tea, silent flight, champagne toast, breakfast after landing, and arranged passenger transport.
• Duo Air Chair Hopper (PH-SJK) Premium 2-seat balloon flight experience with a comfortable bench between two gas cylinders in an open basket, providing an unobstructed co-pilot experience alongside the pilot. €750 per person including VAT.
• Historische Ballonvaart (Heritage Balloon Flight, PH-BEN) Heritage balloon flight experience in PH-BEN, the oldest registered Dutch hot air balloon. The aircraft lacks a fan for inflation, has no poles between basket and burner frame, uses a single burner and employs a tear-panel system instead of a parachute system for landing. Price on request.
• Bedrijfsuitje (Corporate Outing) Corporate hot air balloon flight package for team building, client entertainment, or employee incentive programs. Tailored to company groups with full-day program including check-in, flight, and champagne reception after landing.
• Relatievaarten (Client Relations Balloon Flights) Tailor-made business balloon program designed for corporate client entertainment and relationship management, customized to business needs.
• Exposure / Reclame Ballonvaart (Advertising Balloon) Branded hot air balloon advertising service where balloons carry company logos or messages as a mobile medium visible to thousands of people on the ground, generating exposure for corporate clients.
• Cadeautickets (Gift Tickets) Gift ticket product allowing the recipient to redeem a balloon flight; tickets are valid for a maximum of one year from purchase date, are transferable, and not refundable. Weather cancellations do not invalidate tickets.
• Last Minute Balloonvaarten Discounted balloon flight tickets offered on a last-minute basis when unsold seats remain available on upcoming flights.
• Balloon Maintenance Services Approved balloon maintenance, annual inspection, repair, and refurbishment services performed in-house to Dutch and European air safety standards. Offered internally and to external clients.

Quantifiable outcome

• Flights operate year-round, every day, weather permitting
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nationale Vereniging de ZonnebloemcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Ad Ballon developed the PH-ZBB accessible hot air balloon in partnership with Nationale Vereniging de Zonnebloem, a Dutch organization for people with physical disabilities. The balloon features a specially designed basket with door, seats, and wheelchair access. The first flight was 18 June 2025. The partnership enables De Zonnebloem's guests to experience balloon flight, and Ad Ballon provides the specialized equipment and operational expertise.
• Betondingen.nlminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2025Betondingen.nl commissioned Ad Ballon to operate a branded hot air balloon (PH-BTN), built in 2023. The balloon operates in the Breda region and Noorderkempen (Belgium) from May 2025, providing advertising exposure for the construction company.
• Hoogstraats Balloon Team BVBAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Per 1 January 2025, Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten B.V. acquired Hoogstraats Balloon Team BVBA after more than 25 years of balloon aviation passion. The acquisition expands Ad Ballon's services to the Noorderkempen region in Belgium (Hoogstraten, Merksplas, Turnhout, Brecht). This strategic expansion marks a new phase combining the experience and expertise of both teams.
• Lagarde Groep (Barneveld)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 October 2023Lagarde Groep, a specialist in ICT, communications, and security based in Barneveld, commissioned Ad Ballon to operate a new Ultra Magic N-210 hot air balloon (PH-ICT). Ad Ballon operates and maintains the branded balloon, and Lagarde uses it for corporate purposes and potentially for client entertainment. First flight was 6 June 2024.
• Koninklijke Luchtmacht (Royal Netherlands Air Force)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2007Ad Ballon operates a hot air balloon for the Royal Netherlands Air Force (PH-FVH, named after Floris van Heijst). Menno, a freelance Ad Ballon pilot, is employed by the Royal Netherlands Air Force and is closely involved in planning and executing the air force crew. The partnership supports military aviation celebrations and events.
• Ultra Magic BalloonscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 1983Ad Ballon serves as the Dutch dealer and importer for Ultra Magic Balloons, a Spanish balloon manufacturer in the top segment of the balloon aviation industry. Ultra Magic balloons are used for Ad Ballon's passenger fleet and are described as leaders in balloon technology and artwork. This partnership provides access to premium balloon technology and supports the company's technical capabilities.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Virgin Balloon Flights: The UK's largest passenger hot air balloon ride operator, offering shared, private, exclusive and themed experiences (incl. accessibility flights) from multiple launch sites. It is directly comparable to Ad Ballon in product structure, target customers (consumers and corporate) and direct-to-consumer booking model, only at substantially larger scale in the UK.
• Balloon Adventures: UAE- and internationally operating hot air balloon passenger company flying tourists over desert landscapes. Comparable as a passenger-flight-only hot air balloon operator targeting both leisure travelers and corporate clients, though in a very different geographic market.
• Fantasy Balloon Flights: UK hot air balloon passenger flight operator offering shared, private and corporate flights from multiple UK locations. Comparable to Ad Ballon in customer experience design (champagne landing, certificate, photos), B2C/B2B mix and direct website booking.

Others

• Cameron Balloons: World's largest manufacturer of hot air balloons, based in the UK. It is an industry counterpart and potential equipment supplier to Ad Ballon's fleet, but does not itself operate passenger flights, so it is not a direct competitor.
• Ultramagic Balloons: Spanish manufacturer of high-end hot air balloons. Already a strategic partner (Ad Ballon is its Dutch dealer/importer) and a source of premium equipment; comparable as a vendor rather than a competing operator.
• Lindstrand Hot Air Balloons: UK-based hot air balloon designer and manufacturer (including special-shape balloons). Comparable as a supplier of the type of balloon technology Ad Ballon uses, but not itself a passenger flight operator.
• Kubicek Balloons: Czech manufacturer of hot air balloons serving the European market. Relevant as an alternative equipment supplier to the balloon operator space Ad Ballon operates in, though not a direct competitor for passengers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/sjakiesballonavonturen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ad-ballon-ballonvaarten-bv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Ad Ballon Ballonvaarten BV