San Javier is preparing for a busy weekend as the International Air Festival returns to Santiago de la Ribera from 1 to 3 May. Organisers expect more than 180,000 visitors for the third consecutive edition of the event, and the second under municipal management.

More than 45 aircraft will take part, representing military, civil, historic and aerobatic aviation. The main display will take place over the waters of the Mar Menor on Sunday 3 May from 10am to 3pm, with over 20 teams and 40 aircraft in the sky.

Highlights include the return of the Eurofighter and the festival debut of the NH-90 ‘Lobo’ helicopter. The Mirlo formation will appear in place of the Patrulla Águila, alongside the PAPEA parachute team and the Canadair UD13 firefighting aircraft. International teams such as Britain’s Team Raven and WeFly Team will also perform.

The council has introduced a mobility plan with six peripheral car parks offering 12,000 spaces and shuttle buses operating on Sunday from 8am. More than 200 personnel, including police, Civil Guard and medical teams, will oversee security throughout the event.