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An AI-powered app developed by a university student in Türkiye's Cappadocia predicts the likelihood of hot air balloon flights up to two weeks in advance, helping tourists, hotels and travel agencies plan around changing weather conditions.
Developed at Cappadocia Technopark in Nevsehir, the application analyzes historical meteorological data alongside previous balloon flight records to estimate whether flights are likely to take place. Its developer, Aziz Ullah Meherzad, says the system achieves 93% accuracy.
Hot air balloon rides are among Cappadocia's most popular tourist attractions, offering sunrise views over the region's distinctive fairy chimneys, valleys and rock formations. However, flights can be canceled because of wind and other unfavorable weather conditions, disrupting the plans of visitors who may have traveled long distances for the experience.
Meherzad, a fourth-year computer engineering student at Nevsehir Haci Bektas Veli University, developed the application over approximately six months at the technopark's International Incubation Center, which supports emerging technology projects.
The idea grew out of his experience working in tourism, where visitors and industry professionals repeatedly asked whether balloons would fly the following morning.
According to Meherzad, balloon operations in Cappadocia depend on daily weather assessments by Türkiye's Directorate General of Civil Aviation, and flight decisions often remain uncertain until shortly before the scheduled departure.
To address this uncertainty, he brought together historical weather information and daily flight records, using artificial intelligence to identify patterns and generate forecasts covering the following 14 days.
Meherzad told Anadolu Agency (AA) that the application currently delivers promising results, with a reported accuracy rate of 93%.
He explained that tourists could use the forecasts when arranging their visits, while hotels, travel agencies and balloon operators could draw on the predictions to organize their activities.
The app is available through application stores, according to its developer.
Meherzad has also turned the project into academic research, preparing a scientific paper that could help other researchers and developers build similar applications and forecasting systems.
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