2026 MPTA AIR SHOW: MASTER TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Official Document Version 2.1 Event: 2026 Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Agency Air Show
Location: Nelspruit Airport (FANS)
Dates: 1 – 2 May 2026
STATUTORY NOTICE: LIMITATION OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
[In accordance with Section 49 of the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008]
BY PURCHASING A TICKET, ENTERING THE NELSPRUIT AIRPORT PRECINCT, OR PARTICIPATING IN ANY EVENT ACTIVITY, THE ATTENDEE EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT AIR SHOWS ARE INHERENTLY DANGEROUS ACTIVITIES. THE ATTENDEE VOLUNTARILY ASSUMES ALL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ATTENDANCE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FLYING DEBRIS, EXTREME NOISE LEVELS, AIRCRAFT ACCIDENTS, FIRE, PYROTECHNIC EXPLOSIONS, AND CROWD PRESSURE. THE ATTENDEE HEREBY INDEMNIFIES AND HOLDS HARMLESS THE MPUMALANGA PARKS & TOURISM AGENCY (MPTA), THE SOUTH AFRICAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (SACAA), THE EVENT ORGANISERS, THE AIR BOSS, PARTICIPATING PILOTS, AND NELSPRUIT AIRPORT AGAINST ANY CLAIM FOR INJURY, DEATH, OR LOSS OF PROPERTY, EVEN IF ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE (EXCLUDING GROSS NEGLIGENCE).
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. “Organiser” refers to the Mpumalanga Parks & Tourism Agency and its appointed agents.
1.2. “Event” refers to the 2026 MPTA Air Show.
1.3. “Attendee” refers to any person holding a valid ticket or present at the Venue.
1.4. “Venue” refers to the Nelspruit Airport and its surrounding demarcated zones.
2. TICKETING, PRICING, AND CANCELLATION
2.1. Authorised Sales: Tickets are sold exclusively via Quicket. Any ticket obtained via unauthorised secondary markets is invalid.
2.2. No Refunds: As per industry standard for aviation events, tickets are non-refundable. The programme is subject to change based on aircraft serviceability and weather.
2.3. Force Majeure: If the Event is cancelled due to circumstances beyond the Organiser’s control (e.g., extreme weather, national security threats, or SACAA grounding orders), the Organiser reserves the right to retain a portion of the ticket price for administrative costs or to issue a credit for future events.
3. AVIATION SECURITY & STATUTORY COMPLIANCE
3.1. Civil Aviation Act 13 of 2009: All Attendees must comply with the instructions of Security Personnel and the Air Boss.
3.2. The Sterile Zone: Crossing the “Dead Line” or security fence into the airside area is a criminal offence. Violators will be arrested and may face federal charges.
3.3. Drone/RPAS Policy: A No-Fly Zone exists within a 10km radius of the Venue. Any unauthorised drone operation will be met with immediate electronic countermeasures and police intervention.
3.4. Laser Pointers: The use of laser pointers is strictly prohibited. Under international aviation law, this is treated as an attempt to interfere with an aircraft and carries severe custodial sentences.
4. SAFETY AND PROHIBITED CONDUCT
4.1. FOD (Foreign Object Debris): Littering is strictly prohibited. Loose items (paper, plastic) can be ingested by jet engines, causing catastrophic failure.
4.2. Smoking & Flammables: Smoking (including Vaping) is prohibited within 50 metres of any aircraft, fuel farm, or static display. Open flames and gas braais are strictly forbidden.
4.3. Noise Exposure: Attendees are warned that decibel levels will exceed safe thresholds for unprotected ears. The Organiser accepts no liability for hearing loss; Attendees are responsible for their own ear protection.
5. COMPETITION RULES: HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
5.1. Scope: Entry is restricted to “Symphony of Fire & Flight” ticket holders.
5.2. Aviation Medical Standards: Due to safety regulations:
Mobility: Winners must be able to climb into and out of a 1.2m basket unassisted and stand for 60 minutes.
Exclusions: Persons with heart conditions, recent surgeries, or those who are pregnant are ineligible.
5.3. Pilot Authority: The Pilot-in-Command has the final legal authority to refuse any passenger based on weight/balance calculations or safety concerns.
6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY & MEDIA
6.1. Publicity Release: By entering the Venue, Attendees grant the Organiser a perpetual, royalty-free licence to use their image and voice in any media captured during the Event.
6.2. Commercial Media: Professional photography for commercial resale is prohibited without prior written accreditation from the MPTA Marketing Department.
7. PRIVACY AND DATA (POPIA)
7.1. Personal data collected during ticket purchase is processed in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act. Data will only be used for Event-related communications and necessary safety manifests.
8. GENERAL LEGAL PROVISIONS
8.1. Jurisdiction: These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.
8.2. Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid by a court, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.
8.3. Entire Agreement: These Terms, alongside the Official FAQs, constitute the entire agreement between the Attendee and the Organiser.
Last updated: 11 April 2026
Terms and Conditions: Hot Air Balloon Competition
1. The Promoter
The promoter of this competition is the Lowveld Airshow (hereafter referred to as “the Promoter”).
2. Eligibility
2.1. The competition is open to all South African residents aged 18 years or older, except employees of the Promoter, their advertising agencies, promotional partners, and their immediate family members.
2.2. To be eligible to win, participants must have purchased a valid ticket for the Symphony of Fire & Flight event (Friday, 1 May) via the official website (LowveldAirshow.co.za).
3. How to Enter
3.1. Purchase a ticket for the “Symphony of Fire & Flight” scheduled for 1 May 2026.
3.2. Each unique ticket number constitutes one (1) entry into the draw.
3.3. The competition runs until Sunday, 19 April 2026 at 23:59. Any tickets purchased after this time will not be eligible for the draw.
4. The Prize
4.1. There are four (4) individual prizes to be won. Each prize consists of one (1) hot air balloon ride.
4.2. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable, and cannot be exchanged for cash or any other items.
4.3. The prize excludes transport to and from the launch site and any other personal expenses.
5. Winner Selection and Notification
5.1. The four (4) winners will be selected via a random electronic draw.
5.2. Winners will be announced on Monday, 20 April 2026 via the Promoter’s official social media channels and contacted directly via the email/phone number provided during the ticket purchase.
5.3. If a winner cannot be contacted within 48 hours of the first attempt, the Promoter reserves the right to disqualify that winner and draw a replacement.
6. Physical Requirements and Safety Restrictions
Due to the nature of hot air ballooning and aviation safety regulations:
6.1. Physical Ability: Participants must be “able-bodied.” This means they must be able to climb into and out of the balloon basket unassisted and stand for the duration of the flight (approximately one hour).
6.2. Medical Conditions: The ride is not suitable for pregnant individuals, persons with recent major surgery, or those with chronic back or knee problems.
6.3. Height/Age: Minimum height is 1.2 metres. Children (if applicable under legal supervision) must be tall enough to see over the edge of the basket.
6.4. Weight Limits: Winners may be required to disclose their weight for flight manifest and load balancing purposes. The pilot in command has the final authority to refuse carriage based on safety limitations.
7. Weather and Cancellation
7.1. Hot air ballooning is strictly weather-dependent. The flight may be cancelled or delayed at the sole discretion of the pilot in command due to wind, rain, or adverse thermals.
7.2. In the event of a weather-related cancellation on the day of the event, the Promoter will attempt to reschedule the flight for an alternative date.
7.3. No Refunds: If the flight is cancelled due to weather or safety reasons and cannot be rescheduled within a reasonable timeframe, the Promoter is not liable for any compensation, and the prize will not be converted to cash.
8. Liability and Indemnity
8.1. All winners will be required to sign a standard “Indemnity and Release of Liability” form provided by the hot air balloon operator prior to boarding.
8.2. The Promoter, its affiliates, and sponsors shall not be held responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, howsoever arising, from participation in the competition or the use of the prize.
9. General
9.1. By entering this competition, participants agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
9.2. Winners may be requested to take part in promotional photography or videography for marketing purposes.
9.3. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms or cancel the competition at any time if deemed necessary due to circumstances beyond their control.
9.4. This competition is governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, specifically the Consumer Protection Act (CPA).