A Russian adventurer will soar past the top of the North Island this evening in his bid to break the world record for a solo flight around the globe in a hot air balloon.
The Russian hot air balloon successfully took off from Northam airport in Western Australia on 12 July. Photo: Fedor Konyukhov Expedition Center
Airways New Zealand, which runs the country's air traffic control services, said the balloon entered its airspace shortly after midday at altitudes of up to 26,000 feet.
Its chief operating officer, Pauline Lamb, said controllers had created a two-hour virtual bubble around the balloon to maintain separation with other aircraft.
Ms Lamb said it was exciting for New Zealand to be part of this world-record opportunity.
Adventurer Fedor Konyukhov took off from Northam, 96km from Perth, at 7.45am local time - from the exact spot where American aviator Steve Fossett launched the last successful circumnavigation of the world.
Mr Konyukhov, 65, is hoping to beat Mr Fossett's 2002 record of 13 days.
The flight path for his trip goes over Australia, the Tasman Sea, New Zealand, the Pacific Ocean, South America (Chile and Argentina), the Atlantic Ocean, South Africa and the Indian Ocean, before a planned landing back in Australia.
