BIAS 2023 brings together over 100 civil and military aircraft and 150 pilots and paratroopers. This air force show reached its thirteenth edition, where civil and military aviation aces from Romania and other states will delight spectators with aerial acrobatics, elite demonstrations, and aircraft displayed in the General Aviation Exhibition.
Public access is free, and this will undoubtedly bring thousands of people during the event’s two days.
Friday at BIAS 2023: General Aviation Exhibition and Official Training
Starting Friday morning, the General Aviation Exhibition opens at Baneasa Airport, where aircraft producers, owners, and general aviation service providers exhibit dozens of civil aircraft, from ultralight aircraft to business jets.
This year, the military exhibition will also be exceptional. Thus, the Romanian Air Force will come with MiG-21 LanceR, F-16 Fighting Falcon, IAR-99 SHOIM, C-27J Spartan, AN-30, IAR 330 helicopters, a TPS-79R low/medium altitude radar, a HAWK surface-to-air missile launcher, an M903/PATRIOT missile launcher and an EOD vehicle.
Each country exhibits
The Slovenian Air Force will exhibit an L 410 Turbolet.
The Dutch Air Force comes with two F-16 aircraft.
The German Air Force will bring a CH 53 helicopter and a Tornado plane.
The Hungarian Air Force is an H-145M attack helicopter.
The Air Force of Jordan will fly a C 130 H. The Heavy Airlift Wing (HAW) also displays a Boeing C17 Globemaster III.
The nostalgic will witness one BAC 1-11, the first commercial airplane produced in Romania, from ROMAERO and an ATR from TAROM.
The public can visit the General Aviation Exhibition on Friday (between 10:00 and 17:00) and Saturday (10:00 and 20:00).
Also, on Friday, there will be the official training of the show, which means that spectators will be able to see the actual aircraft flying over Bucharest and practice for the main show on Saturday.
Saturday at BIAS 2023: Main show at the Bucharest International Airshow and General Aviation Exhibition
The thirteenth edition of the Bucharest International Air Show celebrates 100 years since the founding of the Romanian Aeroclub and 110 years of the existence of the Romanian Air Force. Also, the show is dedicated to celebrating 100 years since the first international night flight, with a regular schedule (operated by CFRNA on the Belgrade – Bucharest Băneasa route).
Participating teams at BIAS 2023 include the Red Bull Flying Bulls team, which will fly with its most spectacular aircraft: B25 Mitchell, P38 Lightning, F4U Corsair, and T28 Trojan.
Spectators will have the chance to admire the spectacular evolutions of military pilots, who will perform real artistic demonstrations of supersonic force at the wheel of F-16 Fighting Falcon, IAR 99 Falcon, IAR 330 PUMA, IAK 52 C 27J Spartan, EC 135 helicopters.
The US Air Force comes with Blackhawk and Apache helicopters, while the Canadian Air Force is participating with a McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Dutch Air Force brings two F16 Fighting Falcons, the German Air Force comes with the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion and the Tornado Pa200, and the Hungarian Air Force participates with the Saab Jas39 Grippen, the H145M helicopter and a C17 Globemaster. Still, all the participant nations will enthrill spectators with their aircraft.
In addition to those already mentioned, the air show is guaranteed by the presence of the aces of the Romanian Aeroclub – Hawks of Romania, The Pelicans, the White Wings, and the paratroopers of the Blue Wings formation.
Last but not least, remember that at BIAS 2023, the famous Lithuanian pilot Jurgis Kairys, multiple world champion in aerobatics, who performs with the Sukhoi Su-31, also participates. You might want to see what this ace is doing on his plane.
The entrance is free in the area, but usually, it tends to be a little crowded at BIAS. Please keep this in mind while attending the show.