More than being an institutional aerosports spectacle, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is also an economic driver and a jumpstart for careers in the aviation industry.
Tarlac Governor Christian Yap said that the event helps the province economically and socially with all the benefits it brings to spur tourism and the economy. He was guest in KapiHann, a media forum of the Pampanga Press Club at Swissotel Clark in cooperation with Hann Resorts.
“This will help the province economically, socially. The trickle down effect on hotels, tour operators and cottage industries. We want to promote this for better tourism economic activities in the (Central Luzon) region,” Yap said.
During the annual staging of PIHABF, hotels and restaurants in and around Clark get fully booked. For its 26th staging, the PIHABF will once again be held at New Clark City on February 13 to 15, 2026, It will feature 22 special-shaped balloons from seven countries for the first time.
Captain Joy Roa, lead organizer of the iconic event, said that PIHABF also helps young kids build their career in the aviation industry.
“(At PIHABF) We try to educate people and get them started in aviation career. I think this is the first and basic step – get them excited,” he said.
“If we develop this kind of attitude for everybody it will help the whole industry. We need to start young kids to think aviation as a career – whether in management or administration. It educates us. Helps build the industry and create better career,” he furthered.
He said that some of the young pilots he has met at Philippine Arilines have been inspired to become aviators upon seeing balloons and other flying machines in PIHABF.
For his part, Jake Bingcang, president and CEO of Bases Conversion Development Authority said that PIHABF is an institutional event that has been impressed on the minds of people.
“We welcome this kind of event. It reinforces our facilities as venue not just for sports but also for tourism. Every February of each year, people (would) look for balloons. Nakatatak na ito sa isip nila,” he said.
Bingcang also expressed gratitude to the provincial government of Tarlac for its support to PIHABF and the New Clark City being its venue.
Dubbed as “A Weekend of Everything That Flies,” this year’s PIHABF will also feature free flights in the morning and the usual night glow in the evening. A 550-drone show; Hoverbike (flying man-carrying drone) Demo by Kyze, a Filipino inventor; competitions in Paragliding Accuracy, Paramotor Beach, FPV Drone Racing, Drone Soccer, Paper Airplane, Kite Flying. Other attractions also include RC Airplanes Games, Ultra Lights Flying and helicopter flight demonstration by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy.
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