(SPOT.ph) Since it started in 1996, the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga has delighted guests with its display of colorful hot air balloons, cool aerobatic exhibitions, and radio-controlled aircrafts. Now the longest-running sports aviation event in Asia, the four-day festival every February even featured a couple of acrobats performing death-defying stunts on top of the wings of 1930s biplanes in 2018. But it looks like the skies of Pampanga will be a bit empty in February after festival organizers announced that it will not be able to mount the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) this 2019.
The decision was due to the lack of "commitment from [their] government partners." They assure the public, however, that they may organize air shows outside of Clark. They also asked people to be wary of any other ballooning event not organized by PIHABF, "which bears an uncompromising track record of ensuring the safety of pilots, participants, and viewers."
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