BIAS 2026 dedicated to Traian Vuia; Frecce Tricolori and Turkish Stars return to Bucharest

  The Bucharest International Air Show - BIAS 2026 will take place on Aug. 28-29 at Bucharest Baneasa "Aurel Vlaicu" International Airport and Romaero, with the air show bringing together more than 200 military and civilian participants from Romania and abroad, the National Company Bucharest Airports (CNAB), one of the event's organisers, said on Monday."The 16th edition of BIAS is dedicated to Traian Vuia, in the year when Romania marks 120 years since the first flight made with a self-propelled aircraft, a moment that firmly inscribed the name of the great Romanian inventor in the history of world aviation. Vuia Year 2026 gives BIAS the opportunity to celebrate the vision, courage and innovative spirit of the Romanian pioneer and to link the beginnings of aviation with today's aeronautical achievements. Through this edition, BIAS pays tribute to the man who demonstrated that the dream of flight could become reality and reaffirms, before an international audience, Romania's contribution to the history and development of world aviation," the release says.Through its previous editions, BIAS has strengthened its reputation on the international air show circuit, becoming an important event for aerobatic teams and participants seeking to be included in the programmes of major European and international air shows. BIAS's reputation also helps promote Romania and Romanian aviation within the international aeronautical community, CNAB representatives said.This year's edition confirms this development through the presence in Bucharest of two of the world's best-known aerobatic teams: the Frecce Tricolori, the official aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force, and the Turkish Stars, the Turkish Air Force's aerobatic demonstration team.The Frecce Tricolori are returning to BIAS after 14 years and will perform with nine MB-339 aircraft, while the Turkish Stars are returning to Bucharest after eight years and will participate with NF-5 aircraft.The international programme also includes the French Air and Space Force, which is returning to BIAS after taking part in 2024."Another highlight is the French Air and Space Force's Rafale Solo Display, which is returning to BIAS after its participation in 2024. The international programme is rounded out by the Spanish Air and Space Force, which is participating with an F/A-18 Hornet, one of the world's best-known multirole combat aircraft. The German Air Force is participating with two iconic aircraft of European military aviation - the Eurofighter Typhoon and Panavia Tornado. The Slovenian Air Force is also participating in BIAS 2026, with Pilatus PC-9 aircraft, featuring an air display and static display," the release says.The international show is complemented by the participation of established civilian and sport aviation performers, including the Flying Dragons Team, a Polish powered paragliding team, and the Iacarii Acrobati, one of Romania's leading aerobatic teams.Jurgis Kairys, one of the world's best-known aerobatic pilots, is a multiple European and world champion and an iconic figure in international sport aviation. The Lithuanian pilot, aeronautical engineer and Sukhoi test pilot played an important role in the development of the Su-26, Su-29 and Su-31 aerobatic aircraft and is the creator of several aerobatic manoeuvres that bear his name.The Romanian Air Force will open the air show on Saturday, Aug. 29, at 10:00 am."The public will be able to watch aerobatics, tactical demonstrations and formation flights involving F-16 Fighting Falcon, C-27J Spartan, C-130 Hercules and IAR-330 aircraft, in a programme showcasing both the aircraft's capabilities and the professionalism and training of Romanian military pilots," CNAB said.The Romanian Air Force's participation will be complemented by a static display featuring F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-27J Spartan aircraft, IAR-330 and IAR-316B Alouette helicopters, and the IAK-52 trainer aircraft. Also on display will be a replica of the Vlaicu II aircraft, a 1:1 scale model of the IAR-80 aircraft, the IAR-317 Airfox helicopter, the TPS-79R radar and Hawk and M903/Patriot systems, flight and infantry weapons firing simulators, as well as an EOD vehicle.The programme also includes a tactical exercise by the General Aviation Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs."The participation of the General Aviation Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs brings one of the spectacular highlights of BIAS 2026 to the air programme: the S-70M Black Hawk helicopter will take part in a tactical exercise conducted together with fighters from the Romanian Police Special Intervention and Actions Service (SIAS). (...) On the ground, the public will be able to see at the static display the aircraft and helicopters operated by the General Aviation Inspectorate - aviation equipment which, beyond the spectacle it provides at an air show, is used in real, complex and extremely demanding missions in support of communities and operational structures," the organisers said.The Romanian Aeroclub will be represented by the Hawks of Romania, the White Wings glider team and the Blue Wings parachuting team, which will add a parachuting demonstration to the air show following a jump from a Cessna C208 Caravan aircraft. The programme also includes Solo Fox Display and Escadrila Zlin 526F, while the Aeroclub's light and ultralight aircraft will open the day's programme with flyovers and flight demonstrations.Commercial aviation will be represented by TAROM, Wizz Air, Animawings and HiSky. TAROM will take part with a Boeing 737 in an air display, while Animawings will bring an Airbus A220 to the static display.The static display area will give spectators the opportunity to see civilian and military aircraft up close, observe technical details and talk to specialists and representatives of participating organisations.The historical dimension of BIAS 2026 will be represented by 1:1 scale replicas of aircraft that marked the beginnings of Romanian aviation, bringing Romania's contribution to the history of world flight back into the spotlight. Visitors will be able to see a replica of Traian Vuia's flying machine, as well as a replica of the Vlaicu II aircraft. Also on display will be the BAC 1-11, the first jet-powered commercial aircraft produced in Romania under the ROMBAC programme, an important milestone in the Romanian aviation industry.An important component of BIAS 2026 is the General Aviation Exhibition, dedicated to companies, institutions, organisations, aviation schools, manufacturers and service providers in the aeronautical sector."BIAS 2026 continues the tradition of an event that has become, in recent years, one of the most important air shows in the region, attracting high-profile participants from military and civilian aviation, as well as large audiences from Romania and abroad. BIAS 2026 aims to continue this tradition and confirm Bucharest's position on the map of major international air shows. For the 2026 edition, we estimate that the number of spectators will exceed that of BIAS 2025, on the back of an exceptional international programme and the wide range of activities prepared for the public," CNAB said.Admission to BIAS 2026 is free, and organisers recommend using public transport, as parking spaces near Baneasa Airport are limited.A special BIAS 737 bus route will operate between Piata Victoriei and Bucharest Baneasa "Aurel Vlaicu" International Airport for the event. Buses will run on Friday, Aug. 28, every 15 minutes between 3:00 pm and 9:45 pm, and on Saturday, Aug. 29, every 10 minutes between 8:00 am and 10:30 pm.