For aviation enthusiasts, the end of August brings one of the most spectacular events organized in Bucharest. Bucharest International Air Show & General Aviation Exhibition – BIAS 2026 will take place on August 28-29, 2026, at Bucharest Băneasa International Airport – “Aurel Vlaicu.” Admission is free, and the event promises air demonstrations, aircraft exhibitions, meetings with pilots and participating teams, interactive moments, and, at the end of the official day, a fireworks display. This year’s edition comes with several major international participants. Among the announced highlights are Frecce Tricolori, the famous aerobatic patrol of the Italian Air Force, Turkish Stars, the aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force, and Rafale Solo Display of the French Air and Space Force. They will be joined by the Polish Flying Dragons Team, known for its performances with powered paragliders, colored smoke, and pyrotechnic effects.

When BIAS 2026 takes place and where the event is held

BIAS 2026 will take place over two days, Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Bucharest Băneasa International Airport – “Aurel Vlaicu.” The organizers present the 2026 edition as another major meeting between civil and military aviation and the Bucharest public, with free admission.

Saturday, August 29, is the official day of BIAS 2026 and the day when the public will be able to watch the actual air show. The official schedule indicates that access for the air show and aviation exhibition begins at 8:00 a.m., with the air demonstrations forming the central attraction of the day. At 9:00 p.m., fireworks are scheduled.

Friday, August 28, serves as a day of training and a preview, but it is open to the public and the media. From 10:00 a.m., public training sessions are scheduled, while at 10:15 a.m. interactive moments prepared for BIAS fans are announced. At 11:00 a.m., the meet-and-greet session will take place, while the exhibition closes at 6:00 p.m.

The location is one of the distinctive features of the event. Băneasa Airport allows the public to watch the aerial evolutions from a relatively short distance, with the organizers announcing that the demonstrations can be followed from approximately 230 meters from the spectators. In addition to the area designated for the show, there will be spaces for the general aviation exhibition, stands, and activities dedicated to visitors.

What happens on Friday, August 28, at BIAS 2026

The first day of the event is designed as a preview of Saturday’s major show. At 10:00 a.m., public training sessions are scheduled, meaning spectators will be able to see some of the preparations made by the crews and pilots before the official day of the spectacle. For aviation enthusiasts, this stage is particularly interesting because it offers the opportunity to observe more closely how the aerial demonstrations are prepared.

At 10:15 a.m., interactive moments for BIAS fans are scheduled, while from 11:00 a.m. a meet-and-greet session is announced, during which the participating teams will meet representatives of embassies, institutions, and event partners. It is an opportunity for the public to learn more about the teams taking part in the show and about the world of aviation beyond the spectacular demonstrations in the sky.

The exhibition closes at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, according to the official schedule. For those who want to avoid the crowds normally associated with the main day but still want to see the aircraft, watch the training sessions, and experience the atmosphere of the event, Friday may be an interesting alternative.

Saturday, August 29, is the day of the great air show

On Saturday, August 29, BIAS 2026 enters its main stage. From 8:00 a.m., public access is announced for the air show and aviation exhibition, while from 10:00 a.m. the program includes the actual air spectacle. The organizers describe the event as a meeting between elite performers from military and civil aviation, in a genuine celebration of flight.

The public will be able to watch both individual performances and aerobatic formations and demonstrations performed by Romanian and foreign pilots. According to the official presentation, BIAS combines aerial demonstrations with a general aviation exhibition where visitors can admire civilian and military aircraft, light and ultralight aircraft, as well as equipment from the aviation field.

Another important element is that the event is not aimed exclusively at specialists or hardcore aviation enthusiasts. The organizers present it as an event for the general public, with activities for children, relaxation areas, food stands, concerts, and fireworks. Therefore, a visit to BIAS can become a family experience, not merely a day dedicated to watching aircraft.

Frecce Tricolori, one of the major attractions of the 2026 edition

One of the most important surprises at BIAS 2026 is the return to Bucharest of Frecce Tricolori, the famous aerobatic patrol of the Italian Air Force. The organizers have confirmed the team’s participation, describing it as one of the best-known aerobatic patrols in the world.

The performances of Frecce Tricolori are known for their extremely precise formations, synchronization between pilots, and the use of colored smoke during demonstrations. For spectators of all ages, this is one of the most spectacular moments of an air show, as the aircraft fly in tight formations and perform coordinated maneuvers at high speed.

At BIAS 2026, the Italian team will not be the only top international aerobatic team. The organizers have also announced the return of the Turkish Stars, the aerobatic team of the Turkish Air Force, which is returning to Bucharest after an eight-year absence. The team performs with NF-5 Freedom Fighter aircraft and is known for its spectacular formations, precision maneuvers, and colored smoke trails.

Flying Dragons Team, a spectacular powered-paraglider show

Another attraction announced for the 2026 edition is the Flying Dragons Team, a Polish formation specializing in powered-paraglider flights. The organizers have confirmed the team’s return to Bucharest and announced a demonstration based on choreography, colored smoke, and pyrotechnic effects.

Flying Dragons Team will present a moment different from demonstrations performed by fighter jets or aerobatic patrols. According to the organizers, the show will involve six pilots and six powered paragliders, accompanied by colored smoke effects and pyrotechnic elements. For children, such a moment can be particularly appealing because the performances are easy to follow and have a strong visual component.

The list of international attractions is completed by Rafale Solo Display, the demonstration performed by the French Air and Space Force. The organizers announce the return of this performance to Băneasa Airport after its participation in 2024, with a demonstration based on speed, precision, and spectacular maneuvers.

What children and families can see at BIAS 2026

BIAS is one of the Bucharest events that can turn aviation into an experience accessible to people of all ages. For children, simply being able to see aircraft up close while they are displayed on the ground and watching planes fly over the airport can be a memorable experience. The general aviation exhibition is designed precisely to bring the public closer to the world of flight.

In addition to the aircraft on display, the event includes public activities and areas dedicated to families. The organizers mention activities for children, relaxation areas, food trucks, and other facilities, allowing visitors to spend several hours at the event. For those interested in a possible career in aviation, the general exhibition also provides information about training opportunities for pilots and related aviation fields.

One of the moments the youngest visitors will certainly look forward to is the end of Saturday. At 9:00 p.m., fireworks are scheduled, bringing the official day of BIAS 2026 to a close. Thus, the spectacle does not end with the final aerial performances, but continues after nightfall with a festive moment.

Exhibitions, aircraft, and meetings with people from the aviation world

BIAS is not only about aircraft in the sky. An important component of the event is the General Aviation Exhibition, where visitors can discover aircraft and aviation equipment displayed on the ground. According to the organizers, the exhibition is spread across three hangars and brings together more than 50 stands, alongside areas where aircraft are presented.

The event also provides opportunities for direct meetings with pilots and representatives of the aviation industry. Friday’s meet-and-greet is one of the occasions when the public can learn more about the participants, while the exhibition can serve as a starting point for those who want to discover civil, military, or sports aviation.

Through this combination of spectacle, exhibition, and interaction, BIAS maintains its character as a festival dedicated to aviation. The event is organized by Bucharest Airports National Company together with the Romanian Air Force, the Romanian Airclub, ROMATSA, Romaero, and AIBO Sports Club, and has been held in this format since 2009.

How to get to Băneasa and what you should know before the event

Bucharest Băneasa International Airport – “Aurel Vlaicu” is located at 40 Bucharest-Ploiești Road, in Sector 1. The organizers recommend using public transportation, given that parking spaces near the airport are limited and traffic is expected to be heavy on the roads in the northern part of the capital during the event.

For those arriving by metro, the Aurel Vlaicu station on Metro Line 2 can be used together with a walk of approximately 10 minutes, according to information published by the organizers. Several bus lines also serve the area, giving visitors several options for reaching the airport.

It is important for spectators to keep in mind that the flight schedule may be affected by weather conditions. The organizers have established a backup date in case weather conditions do not allow the flights to take place on August 29, although no specific time intervals have currently been established for this reserve date.

BIAS 2026, two days dedicated to the passion for flight

BIAS 2026 is therefore shaping up to be one of the major events of the end of summer in Bucharest. Between August 28 and 29, Băneasa Airport will become the stage for spectacular air demonstrations, an aviation exhibition, and activities designed for the general public. The fact that admission is free makes the event even more attractive for families who want to spend a different kind of day in the capital.

Frecce Tricolori, Turkish Stars, Rafale Solo Display, and Flying Dragons Team are just some of the names that will draw attention to the sky. They will be joined by civilian and military aircraft displayed on the ground, performances by Romanian and international pilots, interactive activities, and meetings with representatives of the aviation world.

For children, BIAS can be more than just a show: it can be their first encounter with the world of aviation and, for some of them, even the beginning of a lifelong passion. For adults, the event is an opportunity to see spectacular aircraft up close and watch some of the most acclaimed international aerobatic teams. 

And on Saturday evening, after an entire day of flights and demonstrations, the fireworks at 9:00 p.m. will bring another edition of one of Romania’s most spectacular celebrations of aviation to a close.

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