Slovakian Airshow, SIAF got cancelled for 2025

[Levente]

The SIAF International Airshow, a cherished event for aviation enthusiasts throughout Slovakia, will not take place this year, leaving fans disappointed and preparations eerily absent when they should be in full swing. The Ministry of Defense has stepped in to assume control of the airshow’s organization, aiming to eventually return it to its historic venue in Sliac. This decision follows a breakdown in cooperation with the Slovak Aviation Agency, which has overseen the event in recent years.

For many years, SIAF drew tens of thousands of visitors annually to Sliac Airport, located in central Slovakia, cementing its status as a highlight of the nation’s aviation calendar. However, the event was relocated to Kuchyna pri Malackach, near Slovakia’s western border, due to reconstruction work at Sliač. The Ministry of Defense contends that this shift resulted in a noticeable drop in attendance, attributing it to the location’s reduced accessibility for a broader audience.

The cancellation stems from a contract termination notice delivered by the Ministry to the Slovak Aviation Agency in November of last year. Hubert Stoksa, director of the SIAF -Slovak International Air Fest, shared insight into the abrupt change: “We received a termination of the contract from the Ministry of Defense, where it was explained to us that they wanted to look for a different format for air days.” Despite the surprise, Stoksa offered a nod to the Ministry’s intentions, adding, “I acknowledge the effort that the ministry wants to create some order or set some other rules, so it’s good that it’s now on the table.”

https://www.europeanairshows.co.uk/news ... LpU_Tjd-sg