Porto, Portugal, June 18, 2026 (Lusa) - Portugal's Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC) has authorised the Air Invictus event, described by the organisers as “the largest aviation and aerospace event ever organised in Portugal” due to take place between Friday and Sunday in the cities of Porto, Gaia, Maia and Matosinhos.
In a message sent to Lusa, signed by the founder of Air Invictus, the organisation states that it has already received from ANAC “the necessary licence to hold the event, which will take place on 19, 20 and 21 June".
“The Air Invictus organisers would like to thank ANAC for the positive and constructive spirit shown over the last four months in making what will be the biggest aviation celebration ever held in Portugal a reality,” emphasised Luís Castro.
The organisers also announced on Wednesday that they have reached an agreement with tour operators on the river Douro, guaranteeing that companies will receive compensation for any losses related to Air Invictus.
Nine years after Red Bull Air Race planes competed over the River Douro, the programme for the new Air Invictus festival will take place between Friday and Sunday across Porto, Gaia, Maia and Matosinhos Alongside the aerobatics and races featuring the world’s best pilots, there will be a parade of classic and contemporary civilian and military aircraft, music and a drone show, making a total of 15 events.
The official ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 6.30 pm at the CEiiA in Matosinhos. Over the weekend, alongside the competition, the skies over the Douro will host a "performance" by national and international pilots specialising in aerobatics, a line-up that includes veteran Luís Garção.
The Portuguese Air Force will be present with historic aircraft from various eras, some of which will be on display along the riverbanks of Porto and Gaia.
There will also be concerts, DJ battles and plenty of aerial entertainment along the riverbanks of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia from Saturday to Sunday.
At Maia Aerodrome, over the three days, Expo Air Invictus will feature an exhibition of civil and military aircraft, as well as activities and demonstrations.
At the end of December 2025, the minister of the economy, Castro Almeida, estimated, during the festival’s launch, that Air Invictus could generate revenue in excess of €100 million.
The event is receiving €3.89 million in funding from Portugal’s tourism board and €1.5 million from the local councils of Porto, Gaia, Matosinhos and Maia.
JGS/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
