The team

Gaël attended his first hot-air balloon flight at the age of 4 years. The passion for ballooning never left him after that! At the age of 17 years, he passed his license and in 1994, he became a professional pilot. He co-founded in 2011, BALLONS du LEMAN with Fabien. Gaël’s experience totals more than 1,600 hours of balloon flight and 14,000 hours of aircraft flight.

Fabien discovered ballooning during his engineering studies in 1999. He got addicted very quickly. He participated in many competitions, and in 2006, he won the 3rd place at the Swiss balloon championships. He then joined the Swiss national hot-air balloon team. He accumulates hundreds of hours of mountain flying experience and today flies on his free-time for BALLONS du LEMAN.

Catalan pilot from the town where our balloons come from – Igualada, Spain. Manel is also a balloon instructor and inspector for the manufacturer Ultramagic. He has travelled to many countries and flown over the most unusual regions with his burners. He will love to share some anecdotes…

Born at the same time as hot air ballooning in Lithuania, I was too little to remember the first time my father took me for a balloon ride. Ballooning became an inseparable part of my everyday life. Since getting my balloon pilot licence at 16 years old, I’ve visited many countries, flew above several continents, acquired a technician licence, flight instructor and flight examiner qualifications. Besides passenger flights and maintenance, I enjoy competition ballooning. Trying to work together with the winds of nature to reach the target just never gets boring.

Pilots’ daughter, 3rd best female pilot in the world, French champion in 2015, Laure has been immersed in the world of ballooning since she was very young. Licensed at the age of 18, Laure has since flown on several continents and worked for different operators in France and Austria.
Laure is also a gas balloon pilot. Her experience, her professionalism and her stories will seduce you during your ascent in her company.

Txomin, originally from the Basque country, is a ski instructor in winter. He joined us in 2019 and is our ground crew supervisor and flight logistics manager. Thorough and conscientious, Txomin will do everything to ensure that your flight takes place in the best possible conditions. Txomin has a passion for photography and travel.

Julie manages your reservations at the office. With 8 years of experience in the tourism industry, she has a great pleasure to inform you, advise you, and satisfy all your wishes so that this unique moment in the air becomes unforgettable!

A great ground team made up mainly of students from EPFL and EHL but also young employees who put all their strengths so that you can live a friendly and memorable experience with us. The team counts about forty members to provide the best service and totally satisfy you.