Record-Breaking Gathering of L-29s, L-39s, and Antonovs at 2025 Festival letectva Piestany
The 2025 Festival letectva Piestany is gearing up to be an aviation spectacle like no other, drawing crowds to Slovakia’s Piestany Airport on June 14-15 with an unprecedented lineup of rare and historic aircraft. This year’s event will showcase a record number of L-29 Delfins, L-39 Albatros jets, and a remarkable collection of Antonov aircraft, alongside other unique planes that promise to captivate enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
Now in its sixth year, the Festival letectva Piestany has quickly established itself as a standout on the European airshow circuit, blending Eastern European aviation heritage with modern aerial displays. What began as a modest gathering in 2019 has grown into a major event, and the 2025 edition is set to raise the bar with its extraordinary roster of participants, many of which are rarely seen in the skies today.
L-29 Delfin / Festival letectva Piestany 2022
The L-29 Delfin, a cornerstone of this year’s show, brings a rich history to Piestany. Developed in Czechoslovakia during the late 1950s, the L-29 was the Eastern Bloc’s first indigenously designed jet trainer, taking flight in 1959 and entering service in 1961. Its rugged design and straightforward handling made it a mainstay for military pilot training across Warsaw Pact nations and beyond, with over 3,500 built during its production run. Today, four of these iconic jets will grace the festival, each participating in both static and flying displays. Leading the pack is an L-29 from Czechia’s Blue Sky Service, piloted by Pavel Vesely, whose deep appreciation for aviation history shines through in his handling of the aircraft. Another Delfin, operated by Slovakian Jets Fly s.r.o., will be flown by Major General (retd) Ing. Jozef Pivarči, a veteran aviator whose career spans decades of jet trainer experience. Adding an international dimension, the Hungarian Komo-Sky Team contributes a third L-29, with either Gabor Szakacs or Tamas Rohacs at the controls, both known for their skilful aerobatics. Completing the quartet is a Danish L-29 flown by Jen Ploug Larsen, highlighting the aircraft’s enduring global legacy.
While the L-29s honour aviation’s earlier days, the L-39 Albatros jets, though not modern by today’s standards, represent a more contemporary chapter compared to their predecessor. Introduced in the 1970s as the Delfin’s successor, the L-39 is prized for its sleek lines and adaptability, having served globally as both a trainer and a light attack aircraft. While it lacks the cutting-edge technology of current jets, its historical significance endures, with many nations still employing it for training and light combat duties. Six L-39s will feature at the 2025 festival, headlined by Latvia’s Baltic Bees Jet Team. This acclaimed group will bring four jets to execute their signature precision routines, mesmerising onlookers with synchronised formations and agile manoeuvres. Additional L-39s from Slovakian Jets Fly s.r.o. and Estonia’s Blueagles company will perform solo, showcasing the jet’s enduring capabilities and charm.
Yet perhaps the most compelling story at this year’s festival belongs to the Antonov aircraft from Ukraine, a collection of aerial gems that have found a new home in Slovakia. These planes—comprising an An-32, An-12, An-26, and An-2—escaped Ukraine before the onset of conflict, preserving a vital piece of the nation’s aviation heritage. Their presence at Piestany is a powerful testament to resilience, and their rarity makes them a major draw. The Antonov An-32P, operated by Aircompany Constanta, will take to the skies during the flying displays, its twin turboprop engines roaring as it demonstrates the strength that has made it a go-to aircraft for operations in challenging environments like high altitudes and extreme heat. On the ground, the Antonov An-12 from Cavok Air offers a closer look at a four-engine turboprop transport that has hauled cargo and troops since the 1950s, often likened to the American C-130 Hercules for its durability. Nearby, the Antonov An-26 from Vulkan Air stands as a testament to versatility, its twin-engine design serving both military and civilian roles with distinction over the decades. And then there’s the Antonov An-2 from Slovakia, a biplane that defies time—first flown in 1947, it remains in production today, prized for its ability to take off and land on rough, unprepared strips.
Adding an unexpected twist to the static displays is a Boeing 737-300F from Constanta Airlines, a freighter variant of the ubiquitous airliner that’s a rare sight in such settings. Each of these Antonov aircraft carries its own legacy. The An-32, for instance, was engineered for rugged conditions, earning a reputation in places like India and Africa, while the An-12’s long service life reflects its reliability as a heavy lifter. The An-26, a smaller but equally capable transport, has been a workhorse for short-haul missions, and the An-2’s quirky biplane design belies its remarkable staying power.
The Festival letectva Piestany doesn’t stop with these headliners. A host of other aircraft are already confirmed, spanning vintage warbirds, modern jets, and civilian rarities, with the full lineup available on the event’s website. This diversity underscores the festival’s appeal, offering something for every aviation enthusiast while cementing its status as a celebration of flight’s past, present, and future. Ground activities, from aircraft walkarounds to pilot interactions, will round out the experience, making it a perfect outing for families and die-hard fans alike.
As Piestany Airport prepares to welcome this extraordinary gathering, the 2025 Festival letectva Piestany stands poised to etch its name in airshow history. With a record number of L-29 Delfins, L-39 Albatros jets, and Antonov aircraft taking centre stage, the event promises a weekend of awe-inspiring sights and sounds, honouring the ingenuity and endurance of Eastern European aviation in a way that’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
To view the complete lineup of aircraft participating in the event and to get the latest updates, visit the Festival Letectva Piestany website by clicking here.
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