Branson Balloon Enters Chinese Airspace Without Permission

Three men hoping to be the first to circle the world by balloon crossed into Chinese airspace Monday, despite the refusal of Chinese authorities to grant them permission.

Flying very close to its maximum altitude at 29,000 feet, the balloon piloted by British tycoon Richard Branson, American Steve Fossett and Sweden’s Per Linstrand crossed from Nepal into Chinese-ruled Tibet, according to their support team in London.

The adventurers flew in complete darkness Monday night over some of the world’s highest peaks and hostile terrain, which made a safe landing impossible and rescue about seven days away. Landing the balloon also would mean the end of the challenge.

Project director Mike Kendrick said Chinese air traffic controllers were informed the moment the balloon passed over the border. An apology was added to the communication.

China had given permission for the ICO Global balloon to travel in its airspace south of 26 degrees north latitude. But because of diversions around Mediterranean storms and Iraq, the balloon crossed the Himalayas farther north than planned, entering China 250 miles away from the agreed airspace corridor.

“We will wait for the Chinese to contact us now,” Kendrick said. “It is important their air traffic controllers know they are there, and beyond that, we will have to wait and see.”

The Chinese had not yet responded to or acknowledged the message, said ICO spokeswoman Lori Levin. She said the team had been contacting the Chinese every 15 minutes to give them the balloon’s location.

Kendrick said the crew and support team were nervous.

“We are in someone else’s airspace without permission. It is not a nice place to be,” he said.

As it became apparent early Monday that the balloon would inevitably cross into unauthorized Chinese territory, frantic but unsuccessful diplomatic negotiations were launched by Britain.

Kendrick said the next few hours would be vital, given that the long journey across China was inescapable.