Aspects of the disclosure relate to launching high-altitude balloons. For example, a launching system may include a tower having a tubular portion and a top portion. The tubular portion may include an interior space for launching the balloon and the top portion may be configured to allow the balloon to pass into to a space outside of the tower. The tubular portion may also include a plurality of openings configured to redirect air from outside of the tower and into the interior space in order to cause a cyclone of air from the opening towards the top portion. A covering device may be positioned within the tower in order to control airflow from the outside of the tower through the plurality of openings and to cause the cyclone of air.