Special shapes may be leaving China

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Special-shape balloons tied up in China are beginning their trek to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, or maybe not.

Pilot-owner Frank Wechter, whose giant shopping bag has been stuck in China since an event there, said 10 of the 13 balloons have finally cleared Chinese customs.

Yet while Wechter said he has paperwork showing five of them already en route to New York City, the airline Web site shows them as not leaving until Sunday.

The annual Balloon Fiesta begins Saturday morning with hundreds of balloons joining in a mass ascension. Major special-shape events aren't scheduled until the following Thursday and Friday.

Wechter said he is still trying to figure out whether the Web site or his paperwork is correct.

Five other balloons are slated to ship to the U.S. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.