The Athens Flying Week – Tanagra International Air Show 2026 returns to Tanagra Air Base on September 5 and 6.Featuring top international participants, breathtaking fighter jets and a spectacular debut, the Fursan Al Emarat, the “Knights of the Emirates”, will bring their seven new Hongdu L-15 aircraft to Greece for the first time, preparing to “paint” the skies with their distinctive multicoloured smoke trails.F-18s, Eurofighters, Tornados, Rafales, Apaches, A400Ms and F-35s, along with the Hellenic Air Force’s ZEUS and DAIDALOS display teams and all the flying assets of the Greek Armed Forces, make up an action-packed line-up promising two days of adrenaline and spectacular aerial displays.The “Knights of the Emirates” prepare for spectacular showSpeaking to Naftemporiki, Panagiotis Podimatas, president of the Athens Flying Week organising committee, said: “We are very happy and proud to host one of the world’s most spectacular aerobatic teams at this year’s Athens Flying Week. The Fursan Al Emarat, the ‘Knights of the Emirates’, are preparing an amazing show for the thousands of Athens Flying Week spectators coming from Greece and abroad.”“This year, we will see their display for the first time with their new aircraft, the twin-engine Hongdu L-15s, which will ‘paint’ the skies over Tanagra with their familiar, colourful yet completely environmentally friendly smoke. It will be a unique spectacle, and we invite everyone to come to Tanagra this weekend to enjoy two days filled with aviation thrills, adrenaline and unforgettable moments,” he added.Referring to the 2026 participants, Podimatas said the line-up “will leave no one disappointed”, featuring Eurofighters, Tornados, F-18s and numerous other solo displays, as well as the Hellenic Air Force’s ZEUS and DAIDALOS teams and all the flying assets of the Armed Forces.The static display will also feature the giant A400Ms, which visitors will be able to board, as well as an F-35, civilian aircraft, an Aegean surprise flight, along with the static and commercial exhibition.The Fursan Al Emarat uses coloured smoke in the colours of the UAE flag — red, green, white and black. During their aerial choreography, the aircraft leave coloured trails across the sky, creating a spectacular visual display.Aviation eliteMembers of Fursan Al Emarat are carefully selected and represent the elite of the UAE’s aviation community. Flying their impressive aircraft, they represent their country at major air shows around the world, including in Greece at Athens Flying Week 2026.The most important criterion for selection is absolute trust, as the pilots fly in formations with their aircraft wings just metres apart. The team is known for its discipline, professionalism and commitment to flight safety.The “Knights”’ flying programme has it all: aerial “choreography” that defies gravity, breathtaking aerobatics and manoeuvres that promise to captivate spectators.Seven Hongdu L-15 aircraft, painted in an impressive black-and-gold livery symbolising oil — the UAE’s national product — and the golden desert, will fill the skies over Tanagra, leaving colourful trails behind them.Spectacular aerial displaysThe Al Fursan flying programme includes aerobatics, manoeuvres and formations in which the aircraft fly virtually wingtip to wingtip. The display features loops, close-range crossings, vertical climbs and dives, with pilots following strict procedures throughout the performance.The seven aircraft flying together symbolise the UAE’s seven emirates. The “Knights”’ show traditionally concludes with the formation of the UAE flag in the sky, using their famous four-colour smoke.The smoke used by Al Fursan contains fully biodegradable materials that are safe for the ecosystem and naturally disperse in the air without leaving residues. The team has adapted its technology in line with international commitments to environmental protection and sustainability, following the principles of “green” aviation.A unique aviation experienceAlongside the Fursan Al Emarat, individual participants include the Finnish F-18 Hornet Display, making its Greek debut, the Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon, also appearing in Greece for the first time, as well as German Typhoons and Tornados with full flying programmes.The line-up also features giant A400Ms from Belgium and Germany, Austrian and Slovenian Pilatus aircraft, Canadian parachutists, an Italian AW-139 helicopter and an F-35 in the static display.The legendary F-4 Phantoms, the F-16 ZEUS and T-6 DAIDALOS, warbirds and all the flying assets of the Greek Armed Forces will also be on display, including the EMB-145H AEW&C, M-346s, Mirage 2000-5s and Rafales of the 114 Combat Wing, host of AFW26.Army Aviation will be represented by Apache helicopters with an impressive display, as well as Kiowas, NH-90s and Chinooks. The Hellenic Navy will also participate with its S-70 Aegean Hawks and MH-60 Romeos, while personnel and assets from the Hellenic National Defence General Staff’s Special Warfare Command will once again demonstrate their operational capabilities.Aegean Airlines will also return to the country’s biggest aviation celebration with a surprise flight, alongside Olympic Air. Civilian participants include world champion Luca Bertossio, known for gravity-defying manoeuvres, Frank Van Houten, who impresses audiences every year with his aerobatics, and the Euroavia team from the National Technical University of Athens, which will feature its own aircraft in the static display.