Frecce Tricolori to Headline Sanicole Airshow’s 45th Edition with Spectacular 65th Anniversary Display
Are you in the mood for a flamboyant birthday celebration? If so, make your way to the International Sanicole Airshow on September 13 and 14, 2025, when the Italian Air Force’s Frecce Tricolori will mark their 65th anniversary with a jaw-dropping performance. This iconic aerobatic team, beloved by aviation enthusiasts worldwide, is set to light up the skies above Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium, in a display that promises to blend precision, artistry, and a touch of national pride.
The Frecce Tricolori, officially known as the 313° Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico, have been a symbol of Italian aviation excellence since their formation in 1961. Based at Rivolto Air Base, not far from Venice, the team was born out of Italy’s rich tradition of aerobatic flying. Before their establishment, various squadrons from different fighter wings showcased their skills in displays across the country. Recognizing the value of a dedicated national team, the Italian Air Force created the Frecce Tricolori—meaning “three-colored arrows”—to represent the nation on the global stage.
Frecce Tricolori / Jesolo Airshow 2019
Initially equipped with the Fiat G.91 PAN, a nimble light attack and trainer jet, the team transitioned to the Aermacchi MB-339A PAN in 1982. This aircraft has been their workhorse ever since, enabling them to perform stunning maneuvers like the tailslide and the lomcovak—a seemingly chaotic spin that leaves spectators gasping. With a formation of nine aircraft and a soloist adding flair, their displays are a symphony of tight choreography, accentuated by thick trails of green, white, and red smoke that paint the Italian flag across the sky.
As they celebrate their 65th anniversary, the Frecce Tricolori are on the cusp of a major transition. In 2024, the Italian Air Force unveiled the design for their new aircraft, the Leonardo M-346 Master, a cutting-edge trainer that will soon replace the MB-339. For fans in Belgium, the 2025 Sanicole Airshow could be one of the final opportunities to see the team perform with their current aircraft—a bittersweet milestone that adds extra weight to this anniversary celebration.
The Sanicole International Airshow is no stranger to the Frecce Tricolori. Over the years, they’ve made multiple appearances at this prestigious event, cementing their status as a crowd favorite. Their last known display at Sanicole left a lasting impression, with the team’s precision and vibrant smoke trails drawing cheers from the stands. The local Italian community in Limburg, a region with deep ties to Italy, has always turned out in force to support their countrymen, making these performances a cultural homecoming as much as an aviation spectacle.
This year’s event, the 45th International Sanicole Airshow, is shaping up to be a fitting stage for the Frecce Tricolori’s birthday bash. Held annually in Hechtel-Eksel, Sanicole is Belgium’s only major civilian airshow, with a history stretching back to the 1970s. What began as a modest stunt show has grown into a world-class display, attracting top aerobatic teams and aircraft from across the globe. The 2025 edition will feature a Saturday sunset show—a breathtaking spectacle as the light fades—followed by a full eight-hour program on Sunday, packed with everything from vintage warbirds to modern military jets.
The current lineup is already impressive, though organizers promise more additions as the event approaches. Among the historic aircraft, the North American Rockwell OV-10B Bronco, flown by the Bronco Demo Team, will showcase its rugged versatility, while the Canadair CL-13B Sabre from Mistral Warbirds will bring a dose of Cold War nostalgia. On the civilian side, the MBB Bo 105 will demonstrate its agility, and the Flying Bulls Aerobatic Team will take flight with four XA-42s in tight formation. Melanie Astles will push her Extra 330SC to the limit, while Team Thunder brings a pair of homebuilt aircraft—the Thorp T-18 and Lazer 230—to the mix. For something truly unique, the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers will perform atop two Boeing-Stearman Model 75s, defying gravity and good sense in equal measure.
Military participation is just as diverse. The Czech Air Force will bring the sleek SAAB JAS-39C Gripen and the PZL-Swidnik W-3A Sokol helicopter, both in flying displays. The Hellenic Air Force will offer flypasts with two McDonnell Douglas F-4E(AUP) Phantom IIs, their throaty engines a nod to an earlier era. Hungary’s contribution, an Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal, will be on static display, while the Royal Air Force rolls out a trio of heavy hitters: the Red Arrows with nine BAE Hawk T1s, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster B1 and Douglas Dakota III, both flying tributes to wartime heroism.
Of course, the Italian Air Force will be represented by the Frecce Tricolori themselves, their ten MB-339s stealing the spotlight. As they weave through the sky, spectators will have a chance to join in the celebration in a uniquely Italian way. “This is your chance to admire the biggest Italian flag in the world in the sky over Hechtel-Eksel during the 45th International Sanicole Airshow and to sing along with maestro Luciano Pavarotti in honour of these famous Italian aviators,” the official announcement declares. It’s a call to revel in the moment, blending the roar of jet engines with the soaring notes of opera.
For aviation enthusiasts, the 2025 Sanicole Airshow offers more than just a show—it’s a chance to witness a pivotal moment in the Frecce Tricolori’s history. Their 65th anniversary display will honor decades of tradition while looking ahead to a new era with the M-346. Whether you’re there for the nostalgia of the MB-339’s final flights, the thrill of world-class aerobatics, or the sheer variety of the lineup, this is an event that demands a spot on your calendar. So come to Hechtel-Eksel on September 13 and 14, and let the Frecce Tricolori remind you why the sky remains the ultimate canvas for human skill and imagination.
Visit our preview page for the latest performers list, weather updates, and more by clicking here, or go to the official International Sanicole Airshow website by clicking here.
