The International AirSHOW Radom 2025 was cancelled following a fatal F-16 crash on 28 August 2025. The official AirSHOW Radom website has since confirmed that AirSHOW Radom 2026 is in preparation. No specific dates for the 2026 main edition have been confirmed at the time of publication. This article covers the 2025 cancellation, what aviation events took place near Radom in 2026, the airshow’s history, and what visitors can expect from the next full edition.
For official aviation safety context, see the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For the previous guide in this series, see Southend Airshow 2026: Is It Returning, What Happened, and 5 Aviation Alternatives in Essex.
What Is the Radom Airshow?
The Radom Airshow, known officially as the International AirSHOW Radom, is Poland’s largest and most prestigious aviation event. The Radom Air Show is a biannual celebration in the city of Radom, Poland, which began in 2000. Every other year during the last weekend of August, military aircraft from the air forces of Europe gather in Radom for the show.
According to the authorities behind the show, its aim is to entertain the citizens of Radom and all of Poland, as well as to bring investment to the city. Since its founding, the Radom Air Show has become the most popular airshow in Poland.
The event is held every 2 years at Sadków Airport, located approximately 100 kilometres south of Warsaw.
Why Was the Radom Airshow 2025 Cancelled?
The Radom Airshow 2025 was cancelled following the fatal crash of a Polish Air Force F-16 on 28 August 2025. On 28 August 2025, at approximately 7:25 PM local time, a Polish Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed during rehearsal preparations at Radom Air Base. The aircraft, performing a barrel roll aerobatic manoeuvre as part of the F-16 Tiger Demo Team’s routine, suddenly lost control and struck the runway.
The crash caused extensive damage to the runway infrastructure. The tragic accident forced the immediate cancellation of the Radom Air Show 2025, which was scheduled for 30–31 August.
Who Was the Pilot Killed in the Radom F-16 Crash?
The pilot killed was Major Maciej “Slab” Krakowian, leader of the Polish Air Force F-16 Tiger Demo Team. Major Krakowian was 31 years old and served as an instructor at the 31st Tactical Air Base near Poznań, where the Tiger Demo Team is based. Just weeks before the fatal crash, he had received the “As the Crow Flies” Trophy at the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo, recognised for delivering the best overall flying demonstration at the world’s largest military airshow.
The accident was also the first involving a Polish F-16 since the type entered service. Following the crash, a statement on the official Airshow Radom page confirmed: “Today, Poland has lost an outstanding soldier, pilot, and friend. Due to this tragedy, the decision has been made to cancel this year’s edition of the air show.”
Is There a Radom Airshow in 2026?
The official AirSHOW Radom website confirms that a 2026 edition is being planned. The website displays a countdown timer under the heading “AirSHOW Radom 2026 will start in…” No specific dates for the full international edition have been confirmed in official English-language announcements at the time of writing.
The 2026 situation follows the standard biennial pattern. Visitors are advised to monitor the official site at airshowradom.pl for confirmed dates and aircraft announcements as they are released.
What Is AirSKY 2026 Near Radom?
AirSKY 2026 is a separate, smaller aviation event held at Radom-Piastów Airport on 25 April 2026. The programme included top aerobatic pilots, aerobatic aircraft, jets, historic aircraft, helicopters, spectacular evening displays with pyrotechnics, and ground attractions. Admission was free.
Aviation fans from across the region and from further afield attended AirSKY 2026. Families, groups of friends, and aviation enthusiasts with cameras tracked each flypast over the airfield. Organisers provided a food zone and numerous stalls with aviation merchandise and memorabilia.
The event also celebrated the 80th anniversary of the Radom Aeroclub. AirSKY 2026 is organised independently of the International AirSHOW Radom.
What Aircraft Were Planned for the Radom Airshow 2025?
The 2025 edition, before its cancellation, had confirmed one of the largest international lineups in the show’s history. Aircraft and teams confirmed for the cancelled 2025 programme included:
| Aircraft / Team | Country | Category |
| F-16 Tiger Demo Team | Poland | Fighter display |
| Red Arrows | United Kingdom | Aerobatic team |
| Zeus F-16 Demo Team | Greece | Fighter display |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | International | Fighter display |
| Dassault Rafale | France | Fighter display |
| FA-50 Fighting Eagle | Poland | Fighter display |
| Royal Jordanian Falcons | Jordan | Aerobatic team |
| UH-60M Black Hawk | USA | Helicopter display |
| C-295M | Poland | Transport aircraft |
| Su-22 | Poland | Fighter-bomber display |
The Radom Air Show, which was due to begin on 30 August 2025, is one of Central Europe’s largest aviation events and typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
What Is the History of the Radom Airshow?
The International AirSHOW Radom was first held in 2000. It has run as a biennial event in the last weekend of August at Sadków Airport, with each edition drawing international military display teams from across Europe and beyond.
Key editions in the airshow’s history include:
- 2000 — inaugural edition, establishing Radom as Poland’s premier airshow city
- 2007 — fatal mid-air collision involving the AZL Żelazny aerobatic team
- 2009 — fatal crash of a Belarusian Su-27UBM display aircraft
- 2025 — cancelled following F-16 Tiger Demo crash before the show began
On 1 September 2007, 3 Zlin Z-526 aircraft from the AZL Żelazny aerobatics team were performing. 2 aircraft struck each other at right angles, destroying both and killing both pilots. On 30 August 2009, a Belarusian Sukhoi Su-27UBM crashed while performing at the Radom show.
The 2025 F-16 crash was the 3rd fatal accident in the airshow’s history.
Where Is the Radom Airshow Held?
The International AirSHOW Radom is held at Sadków Airport, also known as Warsaw–Radom Airport (IATA: RDO). The venue is located in Sadków, a district of Radom, in the Masovian Voivodeship of central Poland.
Radom is accessible by road and rail from Warsaw, approximately 100 kilometres to the north. Regional and national public transport connects the city to the airport during event weekends.
What Distinguishes the Radom Airshow from Other European Airshows?
The Radom Airshow is distinguished from other European shows by 3 defining characteristics:
- Scale of military participation — the event regularly features fighter jets, helicopters, transport aircraft, and aerobatic teams from more than 10 countries
- Night displays and pyrotechnics — evening flying programmes with flares and pyrotechnic effects are a consistent feature of the Radom format
- Close Access — Sadków Airport provides a compact crowd line with direct sightlines to the runway, offering close proximity to fast jet displays
The 2025 lineup included the Polish F-16 Tiger Demo, the UK’s Red Arrows, Greece’s Zeus F-16 Demo Team, and Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault Rafale displays, reflecting the consistently high standard of international participation.
What Investigations Followed the 2025 Radom F-16 Crash?
In Poland, military aviation accidents are investigated by the Commission for the Investigation of National Aviation Accidents, which covers state and military aircraft. The Warsaw District Prosecutor’s Office formally opened a criminal investigation into the crash under provisions covering a catastrophe in air traffic resulting in death.
Poland signed a $3.8 billion contract to upgrade its entire F-16 fleet to the advanced F-16V Block 72 configuration. The modernisation programme is scheduled to begin in 2028 and conclude by 2038, enhancing aircraft capabilities with new AESA radar systems, improved avionics, and enhanced weapons compatibility.
The outcome of the investigation into the 2025 crash is relevant to the safety planning for all future Radom Airshow editions.
What Can Visitors Expect from the Next Radom Airshow?
The official AirSHOW Radom website is actively building toward the 2026 edition. Based on the biennial format and previous editions, the next full international show is expected to feature:
- International military flying display teams from across Europe and beyond
- Static aircraft exhibition with walk-around access
- Night flying displays with pyrotechnics
- Ground entertainment and trade stands
Official updates and confirmed aircraft announcements are published at airshowradom.pl.
