On 17 December, a GOL Linhas Aéreas Boeing 737 MAX 8, on approach to land at Rio de Janeiro Galeão Airport (GIG), Brazil, avoided a balloon. The balloons, sometimes attached with fireworks (balão), are popular in some regions of Brazil but are a potential hazard for aircraft (and the environment).
A video clip of the incident appeared online:
This year alone, Aviation24.be registered two previous incidents with balloons: one KLM Boeing 777 struck several balloons on final approach to Sao Paulo airport, while a fireworks balloon struck a parked Azul Brazilian Airlines Airbus at Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont Airport.
Balloon flies into the engine of KLM Boeing 777 during landing, runway closed