The iconic Monaco hot air balloon made a spectacular appearance in front of the Place du Palais on Thursday evening, marking the launch of a new partnership with Moravia Yachting and celebrating Prince Albert II’s appointment as Honorary President of the Club des Aéronautes de Monaco.
The evening presentation at Place du Palais offered a breathtaking spectacle for invited guests, who watched in awe as organisers prepared the site, inflated the balloon, and attempted the first flight. Afterwards, VIP guests boarded the basket and enjoyed a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon experience.
The event coincided with the Monaco Yacht Show and followed an earlier flight from the Terrasses du Soleil on Wednesday morning, which served as the balloon’s first public presentation in its new suit.
Prince Albert II’s acceptance of the Honorary Presidency represents a significant milestone for the club, which has operated for 25 years under the leadership of founder and president Alain Cruteanschii.
“The Sovereign’s decision to support us by accepting the Honorary Presidency filled me with joy and pride,” Cruteanschii admitted to Monaco Life.
The Prince has previously flown in the balloon during private flights and has been a long-standing supporter of the club’s environmental initiatives.
New partnership takes flight
Moravia Yachting has signed on as the club’s principal partner for the next two years. As part of this collaboration, the Monaco ballon has been redesigned while preserving its distinctive Monaco colours and imposing ‘Monaco’ inscription, with the addition of the Moravia Yachting logo.
Niall Robinson, CEO of Moravia Yachting and founding partner of Hill Robinson Group, explained the natural connection between ballooning and yachting: “Its silence, its grace, and its dependence on the wind echo my passion for classic yachts, which I consider true works of art — propelled by the wind, sustainable, and in harmony with nature.”
The partnership aims to expand the balloon’s international presence, with plans to fly in countries Saudi Arabia and participate in major global events.
The club has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable ballooning, developing what they describe as an ecological hot air balloon. The balloon features double-layered fabric for improved insulation, advanced lightweight materials, and runs on bio-propane made from waste products rather than petroleum-based fuel, resulting in 70% lower CO2 emissions.
“We’ve divided our carbon footprint in half over ten years,” Cruteanschii explained during an interview with Monaco Life. “We’re not dogmatic about solutions – we test everything and share our findings with pilots worldwide.”
International ambitions
The Monaco-Moravia balloon will represent the Principality at upcoming international festivals, including the Qatar International Balloon Festival from 11th to 20th December in Doha, and events in Italy and Switzerland early next year. The club is also planning an ambitious journey across the United States from Philadelphia to Albuquerque, planned for 2026 or 2027.
“Thanks to this new partnership, we will have the means to proudly fly the colours of the Principality around the world,” said Cruteanschii.
“Wherever it goes, this unique balloon will carry a positive impact, both for Monaco and for Moravia Yachting, as one of its ambassadors,” concluded Robinson.
See more in Kyriaki Topalidou’s video below…
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Main photo by Monaco Life.