The 40th Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico said it set a world record Saturday by launching 345 hot air balloons into the sky in 1 hour.

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The annual October balloon festival is petitioning to have the number added to the Guinness World Records, Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Inc. said in a release Saturday.

"There's no better way to celebrate the 40th Balloon Fiesta than breaking a world record on our opening day," said John Sena, president of the board for the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. "It was a beautiful day and a signature moment for the world's premier balloon event."

The current record is held by the 12th Lorraine World Air Balloon Festival in Chambley-Bussieres, France, which launched 343 balloons earlier this year.

The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest gathering of balloons and balloonists in the world, held the record in 2000 by launching 329 balloons in 1 hour.