HOT AIR BALLOONISTS TO SPEND HOLIDAYS OVER THE PACIFIC

HONOLULU, Hawaii (December 25, 1998 - Radio Australia)---British entrepreneur Richard Branson and his two co-pilots say they plan to celebrate Christmas dining on packets of ready-to-cook turkey somewhere over the Pacific, as their record-breaking round-the-world balloon attempt continues.

Adverse weather conditions threatened to delay their progress by about 24 hours, but a team spokesman down-played previous statements indicating concern over the balloon's fuel reserves.

The flight began seven days ago in Morocco.

For additional reports from Radio Australia, go to PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT News/Information Links: Radio/TV News/Radio Australia.