Aviatická pouť Moves to Hradec Králové
One of the Czech Republic’s most beloved airshows, Aviatická pouť (the Aviation Fair), will relocate from Pardubice Airport to Hradec Králové Airport in 2026.
Organizers confirmed that the 34th annual edition of the event will go ahead on its originally scheduled dates (May 30–31, 2026) at the new venue. The move comes after the Czech Army declined permission to use Pardubice’s military airfield in 2026 due to a temporary fighter jet deployment there. Despite the change of location, the airshow’s scope and program will remain intact – only “the airport” is changing, and the new site even offers a larger spectator area than Pardubice did.
Flying Bulls & Czech Air Force Gripen – Aviatická pouť 2024
Why the Aviation Fair Left Pardubice
For over three decades, Aviatická pouť has been a fixture at Pardubice Airport, a city often called the “cradle of Czech aviation”. The very first Aviatická pouť in 1991 was inspired by the 80th anniversary of aviation pioneer Jan Kašpar’s historic 1911 flight from Pardubice to Prague. Since then, the two-day event – usually held in late May or early June to coincide with Kašpar’s achievement – has grown into a vibrant festival of flight. Visitors have witnessed the best of Czech aviation along with international guests, from famous historical aircraft to modern military jets and top aerobatic teams. A traditional highlight is the presentation of Kašpar’s Blériot XI monoplane: a replica of the aircraft with which Kašpar became the first Czech to fly, and which he piloted on that landmark long-distance flight to Prague. Each year, the Blériot replica is displayed (and if weather allows, takes a short commemorative flight) to honor Pardubice’s aviation heritage.
After 33 consecutive editions in Pardubice, the 2026 show faced an unexpected hurdle. In late 2025, the Czech Armed Forces announced that Pardubice’s military airfield could not host the public event due to new security constraints. The Air Force’s fighter wing was being temporarily relocated from Čáslav to Pardubice for base repairs, making Pardubice a fully active military base with restricted access. As a result, the traditional venue was off-limits – “the Army of the Czech Republic did not permit the event in Pardubice”, organizers reported. Determined to avoid cancelling, the Aviatická pouť team immediately sought an alternative civil airfield that could accommodate the show on the same dates. Hradec Králové Airport, just next door in the neighboring region, quickly emerged as the top candidate and offered its support. By January 2026, negotiations concluded successfully: Hradec Králové would become the new host city, ensuring the Aviation Fair “will live on” without interruption.
Let C-11 & L-39 Skyfox – Aviatická pouť 2025
“The Aviation Fair is a traditional and popular event that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. [Our region] plans to financially support this event… Thanks to its extensive experience with the CIAF international aviation day, the airport in Hradec Králové has excellent facilities for such large events,” said Petr Koleta, Governor of the Hradec Králové Region. City officials echoed that enthusiasm. “Aviatická pouť is one of the iconic aviation events in our country, and its relocation to Hradec Králové confirms that we are a city that can quickly and efficiently find solutions,” declared Pavlína Springerová, Mayor of Hradec Králové. She noted that Hradec has “quality infrastructure, experience organizing big events, and an open approach to new opportunities,” which will help the airshow continue to thrive. The organizers, led by Aviation Fair Association chairman Josef Piňos, reassured ticket holders that all tickets already purchased remain valid for the new venue and dates. Discounted pre-sale of tickets was also set to resume immediately after the venue announcement
Hradec Králové Airport (LKHK)
The Hradec Králové Airport offers several advantages as the new home of Aviatická pouť. It is a civilian airport located about 3 km from Hradec Králové’s city center in eastern Bohemia, and lies only 20 km from Pardubice – roughly a 20–30 minute drive away. That means long-time Pardubice attendees can reach the new site with ease, whether by car or via frequent regional trains. The airport is also well connected to Prague and the rest of the country: it sits just a few kilometers off the D11 motorway, making the 113 km journey from the capital as quick as about 1 to 1.5 hours by road. (Direct intercity trains link Prague to Hradec Králové in roughly 90 minutes, providing another convenient travel option.) Once on site, visitors will benefit from more open space for viewing areas and displays – Hradec’s airfield has a larger public area than Pardubice’s, since it lacks the latter’s restricted military zone.
Avro Anson – Aviatická pouť 2025
Importantly, Hradec Králové Airport has extensive experience hosting large-scale airshows and public events. In fact, this airfield was the longtime venue of the Czech International Air Fest (CIAF), one of the country’s biggest annual aviation festivals. From the 1990s through the 2010s, CIAF’s early-September shows at Hradec drew military jet teams, aerobatic groups, and crowds of tens of thousands – giving the local organizers a wealth of know-how in handling international air displays. “Thanks to its experience with the CIAF air day, the airport in Hradec Králové has excellent facilities for such large events,” Governor Koleta noted. The site has also hosted unique aviation gatherings such as the charitable “Open Skies for Handicapped” flights and major music festivals (the popular Rock for People and Hip Hop Kemp) in its spacious grounds. In 2023, Hradec Králové even launched a new airshow called “Legendy nebes” (“Sky Legends”) – an innovative airshow-meets-festival that featured daytime aerobatics, family activities, and nighttime pyro musical displays in a single weekend. Legendy nebes was conceived as an “original aviation day bringing a completely new dimension” to airshow entertainment, including live concerts and a one-of-a-kind night air pyrotechnics show. Although that 2023 event was relatively small, it underscored Hradec’s reputation as an aviation hub with the capacity and enthusiasm for aerial spectacles of all kinds.
Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 – Aviatická pouť 2022
A New Chapter for a Storied Airshow
With the move to Hradec Králové now officially confirmed, Aviatická pouť’s organizers are forging ahead to ensure the 2026 show is a success. They emphasize that the date and program remain unchanged – visitors can expect the same rich lineup of historic warbirds, modern aircraft demonstrations, and top Czech and international pilots that have defined the event for years. The larger venue may even allow new attractions, given the additional space and Hradec’s flexibility. Local and regional authorities are backing the relocation with financial and logistical support, confident that the Aviation Fair will continue to draw enthusiasts from all over the nation. “This exceptional event combines aviation history, top aerobatics, and a program for the whole family,” Mayor Springerová noted, “and we believe it will attract thousands of visitors from all over the country to the city.”
Hawker Hurricane – Aviatická pouť 2025
Both Pardubice and Hradec Králové leaders have expressed hope that the passion for aviation will bridge the change in locale. Many longtime attendees from Pardubice are expected to make the short trip to Hradec, and new audiences from the Hradec Králové region will get to experience the airshow’s heritage for the first time. The question of whether Aviatická pouť will return to Pardubice in future years remains open – as of early 2026, organizers had not confirmed if the move is permanent. Much may depend on the military’s use of Pardubice Air Base in coming years and the success of the 2026 edition at Hradec. For now, however, the focus is on embracing the “new airfield, same passion for flying” ethos. The Aviation Fair’s community of pilots, historical reenactors, and aviation fans is gearing up to write the next chapter of this historic airshow – this time above the skies of Hradec Králové, but with the same spectacle and spirit that have made Aviatická pouť an aviation holiday since 1991
For more details, visit the event’s official website here.
