In pictures: Thousands flock to San Javier's legendary International Air Festival
Some of the best pilots in the world put on a spectacular display of aerial acrobatics in San Javier
The Mar Menor's waters reflected a kaleidoscope of aircraft over the weekend as the San Javier International Air Festival transformed the Costa Cálida into Spain's aviation capital. More than 30 aircraft from six nations painted the Mediterranean sky in what Spanish Air Force and Space Force officials called "an unprecedented air display in the history of Spanish aviation."
King Felipe VI witnessed the aerial extravaganza from the officers' club, joined by Defence Minister Margarita Robles and senior military officials. The VIP viewing area also hosted regional president Fernando López Miras alongside Madrid's president Isabel Díaz Ayuso and San Javier mayor José Miguel Luengo.
Below on the beaches, thousands of spectators created their own spectacular scene. From dawn, visitors streamed toward the coast "like a great flood," quickly filling parking areas and transforming the sand into a sea of umbrellas, coolers and raised smartphones capturing every aerial manoeuvre.
On Sunday June 15, the festival opened with the graceful descent of the Parachute Acrobatic Patrol (Papea), setting the stage for a journey through Spanish aviation history. The demonstration began with practical displays - a firefighting aircraft showing how it draws water directly from the Mar Menor before releasing it over simulated fire zones.
The crowd's first applause erupted for the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, showcasing its remarkable ability to land on water and take off again, followed by the historic Northrop F-5, still serving as an advanced trainer decades after its introduction.Perhaps the most elegant moment came with the parade of three classic trainers: the Bücker, T-6 Texan and Mentor. These aircraft, with their decades of pilot-training heritage, transported viewers back to aviation's golden age. The Spanish-designed Saeta jet from the 1950s provided a perfect bridge between eras.
Fast-forwarding to the 1980s, the F-18 Hornet demonstrated why it remains central to Spanish defence capabilities.
The Patrouille Suisse brought Alpine precision to the Mediterranean, their red and white F-5E Tiger II supersonic fighters creating stunning reflections on the salt lake below. Known for high-altitude mountain displays, the Swiss team adapted their expertise beautifully to the coastal setting, with one pilot offering congratulations in fluent Spanish to their Spanish counterparts.
The festival's technological pinnacle arrived with the Eurofighter Typhoon, NATO's aerial guardian. The bat-winged fighter shattered the sound barrier, its thunderous roar echoing across the Mar Menor as spectators felt the raw power of modern combat aviation.
Italy's famous Frecce Tricolori provided perhaps the most visually striking display, their 10 Aermacchi MB-339 aircraft painting the Italian tricolour across the sky in a series of daring manoeuvres that left the crowd mesmerised.
The festival also marked a significant transition in Spanish aviation. The new Pilatus aircraft made its artistic debut, showcasing barrel rolls and inverted flights as it prepares to replace the iconic C-101 in Spain's aerobatic formations.
But the day's most poignant moment belonged to the Patrulla Águila’s final performance. After 40 years of representing Spanish aviation excellence worldwide, the legendary formation was a fitting end to an exciting weekend. Captain Luis Verjano's emotional commentary accompanied the C-101s through their signature manoeuvres - rolls, mirror flights, corkscrews and heart formations - as more than a century of Patrulla Águila veterans flew in spirit alongside the seven current pilots.
The festival drew to a close at around 5pm, leaving thousands of spectators with memories of a truly historic day when the Mar Menor hosted what many are calling the finest air display in Spanish aviation history.
For more local information go to the home page of San Javier Today
Images: Ezio Cairoli
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
