This is the astonishing moment a giant balloon landed on top of a parked plane at an airport in Brazil.

Shocked officers at the Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo noticed the floating object falling onto the Boeing 737 at 8:40 am local time on February 20.

Shockingly, the high-altitude helium balloon, which was decorated in colourful murals, had drifted into airspace used for take-offs and landings. However, once it had landed the balloon reportedly did not interfere with operations as it was removed by the airport's security team in nine minutes.

Brazilian low-cost carrier Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes checked its narrow-body aircraft decorated in a white and orange livery afterwards and it was not damaged.

An airline spokesman said in a statement: 'On Sunday morning (20), a balloon crashed at Guarulhos Airport, close to the aircraft that was boarding flight G3 7682 (Guarulhos-Buenos Aires). GOL's airport ground and maintenance teams acted quickly to remove the balloon, ensuring the safety of passengers and everyone involved in the operation.

'The company also informs everyone that the aircraft was not damaged and was released to continue with the scheduled flight.'

The balloon was decorated with paintings associated with local TV network Sistema Brasileiro de Televisao, which has denied any involvement in the incident. It is not who owned the balloon, believed to be a high-altitude balloon which appeared to be similar to the kind used for research, educational purposes, or by hobbyists

Meanwhile, the concessionaire that manages Guarulhos Airport said: 'Releasing balloons is a crime and puts airspace at risk, as balloons can collide with aircraft, tangle with aircraft turbines, cause fire, or even fall on the runway on aircraft being supplied.'

Releasing giant balloons is punishable by law in Brazil, with violators being fined and potentially facing one to three years in prison.