SIAF Airshow Returns in 2026 with a Special Anniversary Tribute to the White Albatrosses
After a two-year break, the largest aviation event of the year is returning to the calendars of aviation enthusiasts. The Slovak International Air Festival 2026 will take place on 5–6 September 2026 at Košice Airport.
The central theme of the event, whose main partner is the Košice Region (KSK), will be the 35th anniversary of the founding of the aerobatic team Biele Albatrosy (White Albatrosses). With its strong European dimension, the 14th edition of SIAF will be hosted in eastern Slovakia for the first time, coming to Košice, a location widely regarded as the cradle of Slovak aviation.
A Tradition with International Recognition
The Chairman of the Košice Region, Rastislav Trnka, has officially invited representatives from 14 countries: the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, France, the Netherlands, Croatia, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Austria, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, and the United States. Ambassadors of selected countries were received today at the premises of the KSK Regional Office.
“The fact that the largest aviation event in Slovakia is coming to Košice and the Košice Region is no coincidence. We are not writing a new story; rather, we are building on traditions that are inseparably linked to our region. From the first biplanes, through the era of elite pilot training and the rise of the legendary White Albatrosses, to today’s cutting-edge innovations in hydrogen technologies and unmanned aerial systems. The current record-breaking development of our airport and the return of this prestigious airshow to eastern Slovakia clearly demonstrate our enormous potential. This is precisely why the Košice Region has taken on the role of main partner and invited top-tier aviation teams from 14 countries. We want to show the world that eastern Slovakia has a heart that beats for aviation and that we are capable of hosting world-class events such as SIAF,” said Rastislav Trnka, the Chairman of the Košice Region.
Invitations were also extended to domestic institutions, including the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic – Slovak Air Force, the Ministry of the Interior – Aviation Department, the Fire and Rescue Service, the Police Force of the Slovak Republic, and other components of the Integrated Rescue System.
SIAF 2026: More Than Just Aircraft
The largest cultural and social event of the year will offer visitors not only a top-tier flying display programme but also a rich accompanying agenda. SIAF will host the Golden Wings Awards – the National Aviation Award of the Slovak Republic, recognising outstanding individuals, projects, and institutions contributing to the development of Slovak aviation. In cooperation with the Košice Innovation Centre, the Košice Region is also preparing an international scientific conference titled “New Trends in Aviation Development.”
“A brand that commands respect both domestically and internationally is returning. Our ambition is to build on the event’s long-standing standards and professionalism. SIAF connects aviation, inspiration for younger generations, business opportunities, and regional pride. Košice and aviation are historically intertwined, making the city an ideal place for this story to continue,” adds Hubert Štoksa, CEO of MLD SIAF 2026.
The event is organised by the Slovak Aviation Association and the Slovak Aviation Agency, in cooperation with key regional partners. The organisers invite families, entrepreneurs, partners, and all aviation enthusiasts to become part of this exceptional story. Together, they aim not only to revive tradition but to create something even greater.
About SIAF International Air Days
Since its founding in 2011, SIAF has established itself as the most prestigious aviation event in Slovakia. In 2017, it ranked among the four largest airshows in Europe. In previous years, the organisers received the main award for contribution to the organisation of European Airshows, as well as awards for marketing excellence. In 2022, SIAF was honoured with the MUSE Creative Awards – Platinum Award (USA) in the Event – Live Show category. The most recent edition took place in 2023 at Malacky–Kuchyňa Air Base.
More information is available at www.siaf.sk.
Event partners include the Košice Self-Governing Region, Košice Region Tourism, the Faculty of Aeronautics – Technical University of Košice, and the Slovak Technical Museum – Aviation Museum in Košice. On 23 January, all partners signed a memorandum of cooperation at the Aviation Museum ahead of the 14th edition of SIAF.
About the Biele Albatrosy Aerobatic Team
The team was founded in the early 1990s under the former Military Aviation Academy in Košice. The aerobatic formation flew Czechoslovak-built L-39 Albatros jet trainers (C variant), primarily used for the training of military fighter pilots. During its existence, the team performed hundreds of displays across Europe and ranked among the world’s elite in formation aerobatics. The Biele Albatrosy officially disbanded in 2004.