Desperate Rangers fans have tried to rise above the soaring cost of flying to Seville next week – by trying to hitch a ride on a hot air balloon.
The Rainbow Hot Air Balloon Team confirmed that they had received requests from three potential customers, asking if it was possible to charter a crossing over the English channel to Spain.
The firm replied yesterday: ”OK, everyone, we received message by three different people, asking about balloon flights over the Channel to France.
“We can confirm we do not fly over the Channel. If this is a joke, it is a funny one!”
Light Blues followers are trying to avoid rocketing air fares to Andalucia by booking flights via Switzerland, Morocco and Norway for the Europa League Final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
But it’s understood this is the first attempt to book a hot air balloon.
Wendy Rousell, secretary of the British Balloon and Airship Club, said a number of factors need to be considered before planning such a trip.
The first one is that Gers fans should have set off in mid-March - because it would take two months to fly from Scotland to southern Spain.
She said: ”We can only fly with the wind, so whilst we have a small amount of steerage, as the wind can change direction slightly at different heights, being that precise over that distance would be very difficult.
“Depending on the daytime temperature, flights may only take place in the morning and evening. The fans may miss the game.
“The balloons would also need to refuel along the way. That would be after about one hour of flight.”
She said another restriction would be size of the basket, as balloons normally carry a pilot and up to 16 passengers.
Ms Rousell added: "We would need a few balloons for the supporters. It would be an amazing sight though!
“I think it may be more practical and cheaper to fly direct by plane, but I love their thinking.
“I hope the fans are able to attend the game and best wishes to Rangers for the game!
“As for their balloon request……well I think that was just hot air.”
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