Aire 25 Takes to the Skies This Weekend: Celebrating 40 Years of Patrulla Águila
This weekend, the skies of San Javier will come alive with the roar of engines and the artistry of flight as Festival Aéreo Aire 25 takes center stage. Commemorating the 40th anniversary of Patrulla Águila, the Spanish Air & Space Force’s cherished aerobatic team, this landmark event is set to captivate aviation enthusiasts and families alike. Hosted at San Javier Air Base and the beaches of the Mar Menor, Aire 25 marks a historic moment—the final public jet display by Patrulla Águila before their transition to the advanced Pilatus PC-21 turboprop, signaling a new chapter for the team that has thrilled audiences since 1985.
Nestled along the sun-drenched coast of Murcia, San Javier Air Base—home to the General Air and Space Academy—serves as the heart of this celebration. For four decades, Patrulla Águila has called this base home, their Casa C-101 Aviojets painting the sky with vibrant red and yellow smoke in displays of precision and national pride. Aire 25 not only honours their storied past but also looks to the future, with Saturday’s static display offering a close-up look at aviation’s evolution and Sunday’s aerial spectacle showcasing the finest in European aerobatics. Free to the public and expected to draw massive crowds, this festival promises to be Spain’s most unforgettable airshow yet.
The festivities begin on Saturday, June 14, when San Javier Air Base opens its gates from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm for an expansive static display. Over 30 aircraft, both military and civilian, will line the tarmac, offering a rare opportunity to explore aviation’s past and present. Visitors are first greeted by the imposing Airbus A400M Atlas, its eight-blade propellers and massive silhouette a testament to Europe’s strategic transport prowess. Flanking the entrance, two Patrulla Águila Casa C-101 Aviojets stand as a ceremonial guard—one bearing a tail design commemorating the team’s 40th anniversary, the other its 25th—setting a poignant tone for the day. Beyond this aerial portal, a collection of historic aircraft awaits, curated by Spain’s premier aeronautical foundations. The North American T-6 Texan, Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann, Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, Hispano HA-220 Super Saeta, Dornier Do 27, Beechcraft C-45 Twin Beech, Cessna C337, AISA I-11B, and the Canadair CL-13B Sabre Mk6 from France’s Mistral Warbirds offer a journey through a century of flight, each meticulously preserved to tell its story.
The static display also showcases modern military might. The Eurofighter Typhoon from ALA 14, with its sleek lines and cutting-edge technology, shares space with the McDonnell Douglas EF-18A Hornet from ALA 15, the Belgian Air Component’s Lockheed Martin F-16BM Fighting Falcon, and the Spanish Navy’s McDonnell Douglas EAV-8B Harrier II from 9 Squadron, known for its vertical landing prowess. Helicopters like the Spanish Army’s Airbus Helicopters Tiger and Boeing CH-47F Chinook from the 5th Transport Helicopter Battalion bring raw power, while the Spanish Air & Space Force’s Eurocopter EC 120B Colibri, Airbus H.135, NHIndustries NH90TTH, Airbus H215M, and Sikorsky S76 highlight versatility. Transport aircraft such as the CASA C-295, CASA CN-235MP-100, and CASA C-212 Aviocar demonstrate Spain’s global reach, joined by the Canadair CL-415 water bomber and Northrop SF-5M from ALA 23. The Pilatus PC-21, soon to be Patrulla Águila’s new platform, and the civilian Zivko Edge 540 V2 flown by Juan Velarde round out this impressive lineup, with some aircraft open for public exploration.
Saturday’s experience extends beyond the aircraft, with two leisure zones designed for comfort. Food trucks, bars, and shaded rest areas with misting systems ensure a pleasant day, while portable restrooms and Red Cross medical stations are on hand. A Mirage F1 cockpit simulator in Leisure Area 2 offers a pilot’s perspective, and merchandise stands provide keepsakes. Though primarily a static day, the skies will see action at 1:00 pm when the French Air & Space Force’s Patrouille de France performs with their eight Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jets. Rescheduled from Sunday due to commitments in France, this display over the air base promises clear visibility from all viewing areas, adding a dynamic highlight to the day.
On Sunday, June 15, the festival shifts to the beaches of the Mar Menor for an air show billed as Spain’s most significant in recent memory. From 10:00 am, the skies will erupt with performances celebrating Patrulla Águila’s 40 years and showcasing Europe’s elite aerobatic teams. The day begins with the Spanish Air & Space Force’s PAPEA parachute team, followed by the Canadair CL-415 demonstrating its firefighting capabilities and the Spanish Army’s Boeing CH-47F Chinook showcasing heavy-lift power. The Northrop SF-5M brings some noise, while a formation of the Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann, North American T-6 Texan (Harvard), and Beechcraft T-34 Mentor evokes aviation’s golden age. The Hispano HA-220 Super Saeta, flown by the Asociación Apoyo Aeronáutica y Aviación Histórica, adds a Spanish classic to the mix.
The international lineup elevates the spectacle, with the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse weaving intricate patterns with their Northrop F-5E Tiger IIs and Italy’s Frecce Tricolori painting the sky with tricolour smoke trails using Aermacchi MB-339PAN jets. The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows, renowned for their Diamond Nine formation with BAE Systems Hawk T1s, deliver British precision, while the Hellenic Air Force’s Zeus F-16 Demo Team unleashes the thunder of their Lockheed Martin F-16. Spain’s contributions include a blistering McDonnell Douglas EF-18A Hornet display, a Eurofighter Typhoon tearing through the sky, and the Spanish Navy’s EAV-8B+ Matador II demonstrating hover agility. The Spanish Army’s Airbus Helicopters Tiger adds attack helicopter prowess, and Patrulla Aspa’s Eurocopter EC 120B Colibris perform synchronised helicopter aerobatics. Juan Velarde’s Zivko Edge 540 V2 brings civilian aerobatic flair, and the Spanish Air & Space Force’s MQ-9B Predator closes with a glimpse of unmanned technology.
The emotional pinnacle arrives with Patrulla Águila’s final public performance on their Casa C-101 jets at 1:30 pm. For 40 years, these aircraft have defined the team’s legacy, their red and yellow trails a symbol of Spanish pride. This farewell display will be followed by a heritage flight, uniting the C-101, the incoming Pilatus PC-21, and a Canadair CL-13B Sabre in a formation that bridges past and future. The PC-21, showcased earlier in a solo display, hints at the team’s next era of agility and innovation. For those unable to attend, RTVE’s La 1 will broadcast the show live from 12:00 to 2:00 pm, sharing the spectacle nationwide.
To make the most of Aire 25, preparation is essential. On Saturday, bring ID for security checks, wear comfortable shoes for extensive walking, and pack light to breeze through inspections. Hydration is critical—carry a reusable water bottle, use the rest areas, and apply sunscreen if the sun is strong. Photography is encouraged, but respect restricted areas and safety guidelines. Pets are not permitted, except for guide dogs. On Sunday, choose your viewing spot along the Mar Menor early to avoid crowds, and bring binoculars for close-up details. Ear protection is recommended for children due to jet noise, and drones are strictly prohibited. With large crowds expected, stay vigilant, keep belongings secure, and follow staff instructions for a safe, enjoyable experience.
Aire 25 is more than an airshow—it’s a tribute to Patrulla Águila’s 40 years of excellence and a bold step into their future with the PC-21. From the historic aircraft and modern marvels at San Javier to the heart-pounding displays over the Mar Menor, this weekend celebrates the spirit of flight and Spain’s place in its global story. Whether you’re marvelling at the roar of a Typhoon, the grace of a Jungmann, or the legacy of Patrulla Águila, Aire 25 promises memories that will soar long after the skies fall silent.
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