Up to 17 hot-air balloon flights took off in Luxor on Saturday, carrying 480 tourists of various nationalities. The flights, operated by several travel agencies, flew over the city's archaeological sites. Hot-air balloon rides over the ancient wonders of Luxor are the tourists' favorite, as they get a chance to explore the city's spectacular landscape and famous landmarks. Air balloon flights are currently seeing a high turnout by holidaymakers and tourists especially as they come in conjunction with the holiday season, Ahmed Aboud, head of a Luxor-based hot-air ballooning company, said. Aboud hailed the efforts exerted to beef up safety levels in the Egyptian hot air balloon sector.