Albuquerque no longer holds the world record for launching the most hot air balloons within an hour.
However, there was little concern among officials with the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The fiesta's executive director, Paul Smith says that fiesta organizers didn't do anything special when establishing the record in the first place.
He says a typical mass ascension during the annual fiesta sees more than 500 balloons launch in 1 hour and 45 minutes. The hour record was set in 2011 with 345 balloons lifting off.
On Thursday, 408 balloons launched in an hour during the Lorraine Mondial festival in eastern France.
Albuquerque organizers say they have no plans to attempt breaking the record at this year's fiesta, which begins Oct. 5.
___
Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.