On the morning of January 14, 2026, two hot air balloons slowly took off from Jalamandali Park in Gandipet, Hyderabad. This one-hour trial flight covered about 12 kilometres and landed at Osman Nagar by 8:10 a.m. The event was organized by Telangana Tourism to prepare for the upcoming hot air balloon festival from January 16 to 18. Unlike regular flights, the balloons drifted with the wind because there is no fixed runway or landing point. One balloon flew for 20 minutes before landing safely. From high above, Hyderabad looked calm and wide open, with roads less busy and green areas blending with buildings and water bodies. A Telangana Tourism official said, “The exercise was intended to help pilots understand the city’s terrain, wind behaviour, and safe landing options before tourist flights commence later this week.” The early morning flight helped pilots study wind and safety, ensuring smooth communication with ground teams. The festival will feature many balloons taking off from the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad, offering locals and visitors an exciting new way to explore the city from the sky. This event aims to boost adventure tourism in Hyderabad.