At around 11:00 on 12 October 2026, aircraft are scheduled to cross Madrid’s central axis above the route between Neptuno and Colón. The programme brings fighter jets together with transport aircraft and helicopters assigned to emergency services.
The official schedule lists 49 aircraft and 32 helicopters across 18 formations. A C-212 from Ala 74 will carry the two members of the Patrulla Acrobática Paracaidista del Ejército del Aire, known as PAPEA, who will jump during the ceremony. The aerial sequence follows the parachute jump and tribute to the fallen.
Weather is the basic constraint. Poor visibility may force changes, while wind or cloud cover could cancel the flypast. Infodefensa and statements linked to the organisers say the flight depends on suitable meteorological conditions. Rain kept the planned aircraft on the ground in 2025.
Six Pilatus PC-21 aircraft from the Academia General del Aire y del Espacio will open the aerial sequence with the Formación Mirlo. Their smoke trails will trace the colours of the Spanish flag. The formation returns for a second consecutive year, replacing the former Patrulla Águila display after the C-101’s retirement, following around four decades in service.
Two F/A-18 aircraft from Ala 15 will lead the opening formation as parade command. Six Eurofighters from Alas 11 and 14 will follow, alongside six F-18s from Alas 15 and 12. The naval contribution includes four AV-8B Harrier aircraft from the Flotilla de Aeronaves de la Armada. Three Eurofighters from Ala 14 will close the fighter block.
A mixed formation will pair an A330 MRTT tanker with an F-18 and a Eurofighter. Two A400M aircraft from Ala 31 will appear later, followed by an Airbus A310. Two Falcon 900s and a Cessna Citation V are also scheduled. Three Canadair CL-215T/415 aircraft from the 43 Grupo will represent Spain’s aerial firefighting service.
The display brings transport and refuelling aircraft into the same flypast as combat jets. It also includes government aircraft, while the firefighting service adds another operational role.
CN-235 and C-295 aircraft will join other military training and transport assets. The Guardia Civil will contribute a CN-235 and a Beechcraft B350. Artículo14 and Infodefensa put the overall fleet at 82 to 83 aircraft, depending on the counting method, compared with the 81 in the programme’s breakdown of 49 aircraft and 32 helicopters.
Independent reports have also counted 35 fighter or training aircraft, 16 transport aircraft and 32 helicopters, for a total of 83. Other reports round the figure to 82. The official programme gives the total as 81 aircraft.
The helicopter section includes 32 aircraft, among them NH90, H135 and CH-47F Chinook helicopters, as well as aircraft from the AS332, AS532 and EC135 families. The Ejército de Tierra will bring helicopters linked to manoeuvre and emergency response. Attack and transport roles are represented too.
The Armada will contribute SH-60B helicopters, along with H135 and NH90 aircraft from different squadrons. Other helicopters will come from the Ejército del Aire y del Espacio, the Guardia Civil, the Policía Nacional, Vigilancia Aduanera and the Dirección General de Tráfico.
The central ceremony is scheduled for 12 October at around 11:00, with municipal traffic restrictions expected from approximately 7:00 to 15:00. The route starts near the Paseo del Prado and the Jardín Botánico, passes Cibeles and ends at the plaza de Colón. The royal stand will be beside Neptuno. Infodefensa reports that the full ceremony plans for about 4,380 military personnel, 144 vehicles and 39 motorcycles.
The parade’s scale will depend on whether the formations can take shape above Madrid. Rain kept the planned aircraft on the ground in 2025.
