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Your essential guide to every aircraft flying at the San Javier Air Festival this weekend
From Eurofighters to night-time pyrotechnics, here's who's who in the skies over the Mar Menor
The skies above Santiago de la Ribera are about to get very busy indeed. The San Javier International Air Festival runs from May 1 to 3 this year, with more than 45 aircraft taking part and upwards of 180,000 people expected to make the trip to watch them.
It all culminates on Sunday with a spectacular display over the waters of the Mar Menor.
Here's your complete guide to everything taking to the skies this weekend.
Eurofighter
The Spanish Air Force's Eurofighter is arguably the star of the show and one of the most eagerly anticipated aircraft at any air festival. One of the most advanced fighter jets in Europe, you can expect high-speed passes, tight turns and near-vertical power climbs that'll have your jaw on the floor. Spain has operated the Eurofighter since the early 2000s and continues to expand and modernise its fleet, confirming it as a cornerstone of the country's air defences for years to come.
NH-90 'Lobo' (Wolf)
Making its debut at the festival this year is the NH-90 'Lobo' helicopter from Wing 48, based at Cuatro Vientos Air Base. One of the Spanish Air Force's most modern helicopters, it's used for search and rescue, personnel recovery and special operations.
It's a big machine, capable of carrying up to 20 military personnel in addition to its crew when configured for transport. The 'Lobo' call sign is specifically associated with personnel recovery and special air operations.
Zivko Edge 540, flown by Juan Velarde
Into the aerobatic section now, and first up is Juan Velarde, one of Spain's most internationally recognised pilots, flying a Zivko Edge 540. Built from lightweight composite materials, this competition aircraft is fast and ferociously manoeuvrable, capable of roll rates of around 420 degrees per second.
Extra 330SC, flown by Camilo Benito
Camilo Benito takes to the skies in an Extra 330SC, one of the most extreme aircraft in modern aerobatics. It's a single-seat machine built for unlimited competition and freestyle flying, powered by a 315-horsepower Lycoming engine and constructed from carbon fibre and composite materials.
Benito represented Spain at the 2024 World Aerobatic Championships and finished second in the Spanish Aerobatic Championships that same year in the classic unlimited category.
Sukhoi SU-26M, flown by Jorge Loureiro
Portuguese pilot Jorge Loureiro arrives in a Sukhoi SU-26M, a Soviet-era aerobatic aircraft with a serious reputation in competition circles for its power and structural strength. Loureiro was crowned champion of the Spanish Open of Advanced Aerobatics in 2024 and somehow manages to combine his passion for competition aerobatics with a career as a commercial airline pilot.
Team Raven (United Kingdom)
One of the international highlights, Britain's Team Raven flies Van's RV-8 aircraft, which are kit-built planes assembled by the pilots themselves. Founded in 2014, the team has built a reputation for tight formations, white smoke trails and highly visual manoeuvres. The name is a nod to the 'RV' in the model of aircraft they fly.
WeFly Team (Italy)
The WeFly Team from Italy fly three Van's RV-7s and have one of the most inspiring stories of any team at the festival. The squadron is made up of pilots with reduced mobility and their displays focus on the precision of close formation flying rather than extreme aerobatics.
Every flight they perform is as much a statement about what people can achieve as it is an aviation display.
Aerosparx
One of the most spectacular moments of the weekend will come after dark, courtesy of Aerosparx, a British team that specialises in night-time displays using Grob 109B motor gliders fitted with lights and aerial pyrotechnics. The Grob 109B is normally associated with the quiet elegance of gliding, but Aerosparx have transformed it into a full-on show platform combining smoke, lighting and fireworks. If you can only stay for one thing, make it this.
Mirlo Training Formation and PC-21 Solo Display
Military aviation gets a strong local presence with the Mirlo Formation, made up of Pilatus PC-21 aircraft, the new advanced trainer of the General Air Academy of San Javier. The PC-21 has taken over from the veteran C-101, which was the aircraft of the famous Patrulla Águila, and represents a new chapter in the training of Spain's future military pilots.
There'll also be a solo PC-21 display showcasing the aircraft's impressive manoeuvrability. Importantly, this will be the first time this formation has appeared at a civilian air show in Spain, making it one of the highlights of 2026's festival.
Canadair UD13
You'll almost certainly recognise the Canadair UD13, operated by the Spanish Air Force's 43rd Group and affectionately known as "the water jug." This unit flies CL-215T and CL-415 amphibious aircraft, the workhorses of Spain's aerial firefighting operation, capable of scooping up to 6,000 litres of water from reservoirs, rivers or the sea and dropping it on forest fires.
The 43rd Group has clocked more than 200,000 flight hours with this type of aircraft and they always get a very warm reception from the crowd.
PAPEA
The PAPEA, the Spanish Air Force and Space Parachute Acrobatic Patrol, will be bringing precision parachute jumping to the festival. Founded in 1978, the team has performed over 900 times across Spain and also serves as a selection pool for the national parachute team.
They traditionally open displays of this kind, so keep an eye on the sky early.
EC135 and CN-235 (Guardia Civil)
The Guardia Civil is bringing two aircraft to the festival. The EC135, now part of the H135 family, is one of their most recognisable helicopters, used across police, surveillance, rescue and operational support missions. It has a range of approximately 620 kilometres and around three hours and 25 minutes of flight time, and has gradually replaced the older BO-105 helicopters in the Corps' fleet since it was first acquired in 2003.
Joining it is the CN-235, the largest Guardia Civil aircraft at the festival. Manufactured in Spain by CASA, it's a robust transport and surveillance aircraft associated with border control, maritime surveillance and the fight against drug trafficking. One of its key advantages is its ability to operate from unprepared runways, which makes it extremely versatile in the field.
Bell 412
The Region of Murcia's Bell 412 is a twin-engine utility helicopter used by emergency services for rescue, medical support, transport and firefighting. Its distinctive four-bladed main rotor sets it apart from the Bell 212, from which it's derived, and in working configuration it can carry external cargo or water, making it a hugely versatile asset across a region that takes in coastline, forests and some pretty challenging terrain.
ELA Aviation, with Francis Giménez
Spanish company ELA Aviation and pilot Francis Giménez will be introducing the crowd to the world of the autogyro, a type of aircraft that ELA specialises in. Unlike a helicopter, the autogyro's main rotor isn't driven directly by the engine but instead rotates through the action of the air passing over it, giving it a very distinctive and unusual flight pattern that's well worth watching.
Mar Menor Aeroclub
The Mar Menor Aeroclub represents local aviation at the festival and serves as a reminder that flying isn't exclusively the domain of military jets, elite aerobatic teams or international professionals.
The club works with ultralight aircraft and is based right here in San Javier, in an area with a long and proud aeronautical tradition. Schools, instructors and enthusiasts keeping light aviation alive deserve their moment in the spotlight too.
Royal Aero Club of Seville
Rounding out the line-up is the Royal Aero Club of Seville, one of Spain's most historic aviation institutions and for many pilots the place where their flying career began. Their participation brings general aviation to the festival and is a reminder that the journey to flying a Eurofighter or an aerobatic competition aircraft very often starts in something considerably more modest.
The result will be a sky filled with noise, smoke, lights and impossible manoeuvrers. Whatever your level of interest in aviation, there's something at this year's San Javier Air Festival guaranteed to stop you in your tracks.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.
Images: San Javier Air Festival
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is also a summer tourist information point located on the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor next to Playa Mistral.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
Timetables summer 2024:
Tourist office Santiago de la Ribera (Calle Padre Juan 30720, Santiago de la Ribera)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Telephone: 661 572285
Email: turismo@sanjavier.es
La Manga del Mar Menor (Gran Vía Km. 0 30380, La Manga del Mar Menor):
May 1 to September 30:
Weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.00
Telephone 968 128955 ext. 2
Tourist information point of San Javier (Plaza de España, 30730 San Javier):
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00
968 573 700 ext #5351
Email: concejaliadeturismo@sanjavier.es
Tourist information point of Santiago de la Ribera (Paseo Colón on the seafront)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist information point of La Manga del Mar Menor (Playa Mistral, km 12)
Weekdays 11.00 to 18.00
Weekends and public holidays 11.00 to 14.00
