However, she believed the caution would be short-lived because there were "so many other things happening in the world".
"We haven't had a hot air ballooning accident in Australia in many, many years."
Balloons Over Wairarapa organiser Jonathan Hooker told APNZ he was not aware of any effect on the industry here, although flights in the Wairarapa had only resumed on Waitangi Day.
"From talking to a couple of the commercial balloonists, I'm not aware that they're noticing anything untoward," he said.
The balloon festival runs from March 8-11 and will be preceded by a public memorial service on March 4.
A giant panda bear balloon will make its first trip outside the United States for the festival, Mr Hooker said.
"Pandy", a 3540 cu m balloon is as tall as an eight-storey building and made of 2148 sq m of fabric.
