The US Marine Corps is expected to perform its final ever AV-8B Harrier II demonstration this weekend at the MCAS Cherry Point Airshow. The type is due to retire in 2026 and is only operated by a single squadron – VMA 231 based at Cherry Point. The squadron is no longer performing demonstrations away from its home base, with its last off-base demonstration having been performed at last year’s Cleveland National Airshow. With Cherry Point’s own show running on a biannual basis, this weekend’s show at Cherry Point will almost certainly be the last chance to see the jet being put through its pac ..read more

The French Air and Space Force has released its airshow dates for 2024, which include details of appearances by its two-ship tactical displays. The tactical displays are drawn from operational units and perform at a much smaller number of events per year than the air arm’s official display teams, known as the Ambassadeurs. The line up of tactical display teams can change from one year to the next, but for the 2024 season, the air arm will field three: Requin Mike (Rafale B) Couteau Delta (Mirage 2000D) Mustang X-Ray (PC-21) Date Airshow Location Country Team May 18-19 La Ferté-Alais M ..read more

The Danish Airshow, scheduled for the 9th June, has been cancelled in a surprise announcement by the Royal Danish Air Force today. The show had attracted a stellar flying and static display line up, and was shaping up to be one of the go-to events of the season, with several true rarities due to participate. This included flying display appearances by a German Sea King Mk.41 and Swedish SK.60, both in the final few months of operation, and static appearances by a Greek F-4 and German Tornados. Also due to fly, the French Air & Space Force’s Rafale Solo Display, Danish F-16, Czech and Swed ..read more

Every airshow season brings with it some stunning one-off events, new performers, retiring aircraft and fond farewells. Here, we try to summarise the unmissable moments that will make the 2024 season a memorable one, and the outgoing aircraft and displays which we will probably never get another chance to enjoy. Last season we said an unexpected farewell to the Belgian F-16 solo display, witnessed the last airshow appearances of the Czech Mi-171, Italian A-11 and French C-135, enjoyed the world flying display debut of the F-15QA/EX, and welcomed the world’s only airworthy Fiat G.91 and Capron ..read more

The Croatian Air Force will be showing off equipment old and new during an airshow at Zagreb International Airport next month. Photo: City of Velika Gorica (via Facebook) The third edition of AIRVG will take place in front of Zagreb’s old terminal building on the 11th May 2024, with up to 50,000 people expected to attend. The highlight of the show will be the participation of various MiG-21s; a MiG-21 bis D is expected to perform in the flying display, while at least one example each of the MiG-21 bis D, MiG-21R and MiG-21 UMD are listed as static display participants. Croatia is the last re ..read more

Ten people have died when a pair of helicopters collided during a rehearsal for an air display in Malaysia. A mixed-type formation of seven helicopters was practicing a bomb burst manoeuvre over Lumut Naval Base when two collided: an AW139 (s/n M505-3) from Skn 503 and an AS555SN Fennec (s/n M502-6) from Skn 502. The accident occured at 9:32 local time on the 23rd April 2024. The AW139, which had seven people on board, crashed on a running track. The Fennec, which had three people on board, came down in a swimming pool. Both locations were within the confines of the naval base. All ten individ ..read more

The Royal Air Force has rolled out a D-Day-inspired special scheme jet for use by the Typhoon solo display team at airshows in 2024. Photo: Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ913 has been painted up in a scheme representing Hawker Typhoon FM-G, flown during Operation Overloard by Sqn. Ldr. Denzil Jenkins of 257 Squadron RAF. It features Typhoon-style camouflage and D-Day “invasion stripes”. The scheme has been nicknamed “Moggy”. ZJ913 will replace ZJ914 as the primary Typhoon display jet. Known as Blackjack, ZJ914 featured Union Flag decals on an overall matte black paint scheme. Originally int ..read more

The Royal Jordanian Falcons have released a schedule for their annual European tour, including stops in Ireland, the UK, Italy, France and Belgium. Commencing in mid-July rather than mid-June, this year’s tour is a little shorter than some recent visits to Europe. Date Airshow Location Country Jul 13-14 Fête Aérienne de Saint Quentin Saint-Quentin – Roupy France Jul 19-21 Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford UK Jul 27-28 Sligo Airshow Sligo Ireland Aug 3 Bray Air Display Dublin Ireland Aug 4 Rush Air Display Rush Ireland Aug 24-25 Meeting Aérien de la Somme Albert – Pi ..read more

The Polish Air Force’s Aerobatic Team Orlik has released a calendar for their 2024 season, including shows in Poland, France and Greece. This year, the team will perform with five aircraft – all PZL-130 TC-II Orliks. Only full aerobatic displays – not flypasts or static appearances – are listed below. Date Airshow Location Country May 18-19 SempAir Optimi Airshow Krzesiny, Poznań Poland Jun 15-16 Świdnik Air Festival Świdnik Poland Jun 21-22 Antidotum Airshow Leszno Poland Jun 29 Centralne Pokazy Lotnicze Zamość Poland Jul 6-7 Podkarpackie Pokazy Lotnicze Mielec Poland Aug ..read more

The Polish Air Force’s M-346 Demo Team has released a calendar for their 2024 season, including shows in Poland, France and Belgium. This is the team’s first full season; they debuted at the Radom Airshow 2023. Only full aerobatic displays – not flypasts or static appearances – are listed below. Date Airshow Location Country May 18-19 SempAir Optimi Airshow Krzesiny, Poznań Poland Jun 15-16 Świdnik Air Festival Świdnik Poland Jun 21-22 Antidotum Airshow Leszno Poland Jun 29 Centralne Pokazy Lotnicze Zamość Poland Jul 6-7 Podkarpackie Pokazy Lotnicze Mielec Poland Jul 13 ..read more