Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 148; Flight Crew Total 6643; Flight Crew Type 5173
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Inflight Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Human Factors
An airborne object passed within 100 yards of my aircraft on departure. No evasive maneuvering as it passed the same time we saw it off the right side of the aircraft. It was a balloon or something lit by some sort of incendiary device obviously designed to float the object to high altitude. It was large; in excess of 100 feet tall. I gave a PIREP to ATC Departure. They didn't care or lost in translation. Hot air balloons are prevalent on morning arrival into this airport.  We see them every other flight. They are typically large and with some sort of picture or photo attached visible to the naked eye. However; this was the closest encounter I've had with one that I knew about and it was on the night departure. Just recommend an advisory to pilots that hot air balloons are a constant threat in the terminal area. They are sometimes on ATIS; NOTAMs; but maybe an operations bulletin might be more of a mitigating warning for new pilots.
Air Carrier pilot reported a NMAC with a hot air balloon on departure at night at a foreign airport.