45th International Sanicole Airshow
The International Sanicole Airshow is one of Europe’s most anticipated air displays of the season. 2025 saw the 45th edition of the event which features the very best flying displays from military and civilian operators from Europe and beyond. This year saw the show attract two major national jet aerobatic teams as well as marking the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe and the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam conflict coming to an end. In all 13 nations were represented in the flying and static displays.
Paul Johnson/Flightline UK reports. All photography by the author.
There can be no underestimating just how popular the International Sanicole Airshow has become in recent years. The main show-day on Sunday is now a regular sell-out and in 2025 welcomed 28,000 spectators from around the world. Adding in the Sunset Airshow audience of 17,000 means the entire weekend sees an impressive ticket sales total of more than 45,000. Despite the large crowds, there is always a friendly atmosphere at Sanicole and compared to some other major Europe airshows, it feels that little less formal and relaxed. That is certainly reflected in the commentary from Chris Christiaens and Indira Thackorie. It is however very professionally run by a volunteer force numbering over 1,000.
One of the attractions of Sanicole is the continued drive to improve the visitor experience. Of any airshow we visit, Sanicole has some of best catering available with a wide choice of freshly prepared items; the caterers do not just bring trailers to serve food from, they build large temporary kitchens to prepare their food in which includes pulled chicken, burgers, pizzas, fresh cold sandwiches and the obligatory ‘Frituur!” A quirk of Sanicole (and other Belgian events) for some time has you’ve had to pay to go to the toilet – well in 2025 they were free. It is also clear that the Sanicole organisers have been looking at other styles of events for inspiration too. At the entrances this year, you could purchase your own luggage locker this year and the process of getting catering vouchers was thankfully greatly simplified this year with all the ‘Kassa’ kiosks able to accept the pre-pay vouchers. Another ‘innovation’ this year was a fast-track raised walkway aimed at allowing easier access through the busiest part of the showground. In the main it did seem to do the job, though during the 30-minute lunch break it did become a very large bench-seat!
Another significant change this year was the partial closure of Kleine Brogel Air Base which usually hosts most of the display aircraft. This not only meant there was no Spottersday, but also that many of the aircraft that required a long full-width runway operated from Beauvechain Air Base which is just to the south-east of Brussels. While only a few minutes flying time away from Sanicole Aeroclub, it posed a challenge of logistics for support staff and aircrew accommodation. It is not the first time Beauvechain has played such a role, in 2010 it also provided a base for the participating jet aircraft though at that show Sanicole’s own runway was also in use for the lighter types and helicopters. It is likely that Kleine Brogel will remain unavailable through to 2027 as it is upgraded ahead of receiving the F-35A Lightning II.
As well as the traders, catering and Belgian Air Force village, the showground and runway also hosted a small, but very interesting static display of aircraft ranging from warbirds such as the Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina and Fiesler Storch through to modern military types such as the Royal Netherlands Air Force Pilatus PC-7 Turbotrainer. Perhaps the star of the static was a rare international appearance by an Austrian Air Force Agusta-Bell AB212. These venerable helicopters are based at Vogler Air Base near Linz and are used for a variety of tasks including search and rescue, parachuting and firefighting. Austria is currently in the process of replacing its AB212s with the UH-60M Blackhawk. Another imposing helicopter on the static line was the Hungarian Air Force Airbus H225M Caracal. These multi-mission helicopters recently entered service with the 86th Helicopter Wing based at Szolnok in central Hungary. Alongside the Caracal were more familiar types such as the Royal Netherlands Air Force NH Industries NH90NFH Caiman and a welcome reappearance of ‘Razzle Blades’, the former display Agusta A109BAi from the Belgian Air Force.
The flying displays were slightly different to more recent editions of the International Sanicole Airshow. 2025 has seen fewer fast jet solo displays on the circuit than previous years and that was certainly reflected in Sanicole’s planned line-up There were also considerations about the amount of suitable parking areas at Beauvechain too, but Sanicole did have a fair amount of bad luck well beyond the control of the organisers, particularly with some of the civilian operating classic jets that had planned to attend. Nevertheless, Sanicole still offered a very full day of flying full of interesting displays in much improved conditions over those experienced during the previous day’s Sunset Airshow.
Opening the flying on the Sunday were the Phoenix Paramotor Display Team from Poland. They were one of the late additions to the flying but were a very welcome addition with some superb formation flying and some very attractive daytime fireworks punctuating their display. They led an impressive international cast of civilian displays which including home favourites, the Victors Formation Team from Ursel, Team Thunder from Sweden, The AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers plus Rich Goodwin and his Pitts S-2SE Special from the UK and Frank “Woody” Van Houten flying the Dutch Rush Sukhoi Su-26MX.
Particularly noteworthy were the Czech Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team flying their four XtremeAir XA42s. They had wowed the audience the previous evening during the Sunset Airshow, but the fine weather during the main show gave a better chance to enjoy the team’s mastery of formation aerobatics. As well as performing several unique maneuvers, not least a four-ship mirror loop, the team seamlessly keep the action in front of crowd throughout their display set to some haunting music from Nightwish.
The French Air and Space Force added to the aerobatic theme with a rare international outing for the three-ship display from Equipe de Voltige de L’armée de L’air et espace. Flying an Extra 330LC and a pair of Extra 330SC aircraft, Captains Victor “Vico” Lalloué, Florent “Flo” Oddon and Geoffrey ‘Brice’ Denis gave a unique display of synchronized and solo aerobatics with some very eye-catching breaks.
Another formation aerobatic making a welcome return to Sanicole were the Royal Jordanian Falcons flying their four Extra 330LX aircraft. They are a regular sight at Sanicole with whom they share a long friendship. However, last year they were forced to cancel their displays in Belgium after one of their aircraft made a forced landing in the south of Belgium injuring the two crew on board.
Some helicopter aerobatics came courtesy of Maciej Dominiak flying a German Army MBB Bo105 which is now based in Poland. His machine is more ‘stock’ than the examples used by Flying Bulls but is still capable of the dramatic near inverted nose-overs and very tight pedal turns and wingovers. Though not equipped with the barrage of fireworks he used for his evening display, Maciej still employed lots of coloured smoke and a handful of pyrotechnics to enhance his display.
Another machine that was surprisingly near-aerobatic was the Conair S-2FT Turbo Firecat from Amicale Alençonnaise des Avions Anciens. The Turbo Firecats were Grumman S-2 Trackers converted by Conair for use as firefighting aircraft for France’s Securite Civile. This example made its civilian airshow debut in 2024 and immediately impressed with its agility. However, for 2025 it has been cleared to perform water drops as part the display. These were performed on the 45˚line heading towards the crowd which made for some spectacular pictures. Once unburdened by the weight of the water, the crew then gave an exciting display which at some points sees the fire-bomber fly almost inverted down the crowd line.
As with many events across Europe this year, Sanicole marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe with some fine warbird displays. Well known display pilot Peter Kuypers and Sanicole Aeroclub member brought two of the warbird displays to the show. His first display of the day came in his own Beech D17S Staggerwing which wears the colours of an aircraft flown by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands while exiled in the UK. Later in the day, Peter captained Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress ‘Sally-B’ on its final public display of 2025. The B-17 had been a very last-minute addition to the Sanicole line-up when the weather forecast predicted conditions would not be suitable for the Lancaster of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. In the event, the decision to being the B-17 across the Channel proved to be a wise one. It was perhaps also a very appropriate addition to Sally-B’s flying schedule in her 50th Anniversary display season as the aircraft has often graced the skies of Limburg over the last five decades.
Alongside the B-17 was a pair of familiar warbird displays to mark the VE Day anniversary including the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historic Flight Supermarine Spitfire IX and Stijn De Jaeghere’s North American AT-6D Texan. However perhaps the most outstanding warbird of the afternoon was RAF Station Czechoslovakia’s Avro Anson I. This aircraft was restored in New Zealand first breaking cover in 2012. Since then it has been star at many events in New Zealand before being sold to RAF Station Czechoslovakia last year. Though the bulk of the restoration is based on airframe MH120, the aircraft is painted in the colours of K6183 of No. 206 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command. This aircraft became the first RAF aircraft lost on operations during the Second World War when it was shot down by a Heinkel He115 in September 1939. Though based in the Czech Republic, the Anson carries a Belgian civilian serial, OO-ANS, as it was re-assembled and prepared for its new owners by FAST Aero in Belgium.
Two of FAST Aero’s other projects were also part of the flying displays in the hands of Kris Van der Bergh. Appearing as a solo item was the Hawker Fury ISS wearing its authentic Iraqi Air Force desert colour scheme. This was another late addition to the display flying in place of the Czech W-3 Sokol demonstration which was withdrawn for operation reason.
The 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe theme was wrapped up by the Belgian Air Force Heritage Flight. Though newly formed for 2025, the basis for the Heritage Flight routine has been seen before at Sanicole and Belgian Air Force Days. It comprises of Kris Van der Bergh flying his 349 Squadron marked Supermarine Spitfire XVIe and leading a current day 349 Squadron Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcon from Kleine Brogel. The pairing made three passes in close formation before a very noisy flat break towards the crowd.
The second major theme for this year’s Sanicole Airshow was the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam conflict coming to an end. This theme perhaps suffered more than most with the cancellations but combined aircraft from both civilian and military operators. An obvious choice for the theme was the North American OV-10B Bronco flown energetically by Tony de Bruyn. The OV-10 series of aircraft was developed during the Vietnam conflict when the importance of armored forward air control and light strike aircraft that could be based close to the front line became apparent. It has excellent Short Take Off and Landing abilities as well as being highly agile. Examples built for US forces could carry a wide range of weaponry and act as transport aircraft with holds able to carry stretchers or paratroopers.
The second aircraft in the theme was undoubtedly one of the overall stars of the show, the McDonnell Douglas F-4E-AUP Phantom II from the Hellenic Air Force. The F-4 was one of the most iconic aircraft from the Vietnam conflict flown by the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Air Force. The F-4E variant was the ultimate fighter-bomber version of the aircraft used by USAF during the Vietnam War and became the most numerous version with 1370 examples built and serving with several different air arms around the world. The Hellenic Phantoms of 338 Mira have been no stranger to European airshows often appearing on static display. Flying appearances by contrast have been very rare up until now with enthusiasts often having to go to Greek events to see them in action. However, in 2025 338 Mira worked up a simple dynamic display which presents topside and flat passes plus some ground attack profiles. While it may not match some of the more established solo jet displays, it was certainly very nice to see an F-4 pounding around the skies of a European airshow once again.
The Hellenic Air Force also had a second item in the flying display, the Beechcraft T-6A Texan II solo display flown by the Daedalus Demo Team. Their aircraft wears a flamboyant paint scheme based around Greek mythology and it put through a very regimented routine derived from a USAF routine. Further turboprop trainer action came from the Slovenian Air Force Pilatus PC-9M Hudournik which put on a sublime aerobatic routine.
2025 is the first year the Belgian Air Force has been without many of its stalwart displays but that did not mean the air arm was totally missing from the flying. 40 Squadron based at Koksijde still mounts a Search and Recue Demonstration with the NH Industries NH90NFH Caiman which is always a popular addition at Sanicole. However, some of the international military displays did have strong links to Belgian military flying. The French Army returned to Sanicole with its Airbus H120 Calliope solo display from HeliDax. As well as future French Army pilots, HeliDax also trains the next generation of Belgian pilots streamed on to rotary aircraft such as the NH90 and A109BAi as well as the newly purchased H145M.
The Belgian Air Force also contributes to the NATO Multinational Multi-Role Tanker Transport Unit based just over the border at Eindhoven. One of the MMU’s Airbus A330MRTT aircraft performed a series of flypasts over Sanicole on its own and with the four 31 Squadron Lockheed Martin F-16AM Fighting Falcons of the Thundertigers during the early part of the afternoon. The Thundertigers then gave their own thunderous display of formation passes before spearing away from the crowd liberally firing flares into the sunny autumnal skies. Later in the flying, the four F-16s returned to perform a missing man formation for fellow NATO Tiger squadron member, Major Maciej ‘Slab’ Krakowian, who died flying a F-16 during rehearsals for the Radom Airshow in Poland just two weeks before Sanicole.
As well as contributions from the Belgian Air Force, the Belgian Army was also involved in the flying displays with its Black Devils Parachute Display Team. This year they were joined by the JumpDogs Parachute Display Team from the UK who are all ex-service personnel. Some are also former members of the Parachute Regiments Red Devils display team. Their jumps were very warmly received by the audience too as they landed.
Both the UK’s Royal Navy and Royal Air Force took part in the flying as well. The Royal Navy sent a solo Leonardo Wildcat HMA2 from the Black Cats Helicopter Display Team for their only international display of the year. The Red Arrows have by contrast had a very busy season both within and outside the UK. Their appearance at the International Sanicole Airshow was just one of many European displays scheduled for the latter weeks of the display season which took in Poland, Belgium, Czechia and Malta. Their display was one of the biggest draws for the local audience who were treated to the team’s full display which culminated in the spectacular ‘Palm Split.’
Il Frecce Tricolori were another major highlight of the afternoon. 2025 marks the team’s 65th Anniversary which they marked a week earlier with their own airshows at their base at Rivolto in northern Italy. For that display, all of the team’s aircraft received some special vinyl artwork to mark the milestone which in part mimics the scheme proposed for the T-346 jets the team will soon receive to replace their Aermacchi MB339PAN. Fortunately for Sanicole, those anniversary markings were retained. The team always present the most colourful of displays filling the sky with the Red, White and Green of the Italian flag with typical flair. As ever, their finale set to the tones of Pavarotti had everyone on their feet!
Unusually, neither of the big jet teams provided the finale to the show. The Red Arrows had originally been scheduled to close Sunday’s flying. However, poor weather over the UK and a tasking to provide a flypast for the presidential state visit the following Wednesday led to a request for the team to perform earlier in the day to ensure they were able to transit back to RAF Waddington on Sunday afternoon. Therefore, the honour of closing the International Sanicole Airshow fell to the SAAB JAS-39C Gripen solo display from the Czech Air Force. Jan ‘RUST’ Ratz put on a superb, punchy display in the early evening skies in the colourful display jet. The Gripen has now been in Czech service for 20 years with the 211th Tactical Squadron which is celebrated in the display jet’s artwork which also marks the unit’s association with the NATO Tiger Association.
The 45th edition of the International Sanicole Airshow may have been lacking some of the fast jet action many have come to expect from the show, but it was still an excellent international showcase of aviation worthy of the trip to Belgium. Despite the rapid evolution of the show over the past 15 years, it retains a unique spirit that is quite infectious and keeps people coming back year after year. We have already marked the 12th-13th September in 2026 when Sanicole returns.
