SIAF Cancelled for 2025: Ministry of Defense to Take Over Organization
The SIAF International Airshow, a cherished event for aviation enthusiasts throughout Slovakia, will not take place this year, leaving fans disappointed and preparations eerily absent when they should be in full swing. The Ministry of Defense has stepped in to assume control of the airshow’s organization, aiming to eventually return it to its historic venue in Sliac. This decision follows a breakdown in cooperation with the Slovak Aviation Agency, which has overseen the event in recent years.
For many years, SIAF drew tens of thousands of visitors annually to Sliac Airport, located in central Slovakia, cementing its status as a highlight of the nation’s aviation calendar. However, the event was relocated to Kuchyna pri Malackach, near Slovakia’s western border, due to reconstruction work at Sliač. The Ministry of Defense contends that this shift resulted in a noticeable drop in attendance, attributing it to the location’s reduced accessibility for a broader audience.
Slovak Government Flying Service Fokker 100 and Airbus A319
Slovak International Air Fest 2021
The cancellation stems from a contract termination notice delivered by the Ministry to the Slovak Aviation Agency in November of last year. Hubert Stoksa, director of the SIAF -Slovak International Air Fest, shared insight into the abrupt change: “We received a termination of the contract from the Ministry of Defense, where it was explained to us that they wanted to look for a different format for air days.” Despite the surprise, Stoksa offered a nod to the Ministry’s intentions, adding, “I acknowledge the effort that the ministry wants to create some order or set some other rules, so it’s good that it’s now on the table.”
Defense Minister Robert Kalinak elaborated on the Ministry’s rationale, pointing to logistical and economic drawbacks of the current venue. “In this case, we do not entirely prefer airshows at Kuchyna, which is really very eccentrically oriented, i.e., completely on the western border of Slovakia,” he stated. “It is not an ideal place to offer such things, which have high costs, to the widest possible public.”
The decision has sparked dismay among local stakeholders, particularly those in the tourism sector who have benefited from the event’s draw. Zdenko Cambal, chairman of the Regional Tourism Organization of Záhorie and Kopanice, expressed regret: “We are sorry that this event will not take place again and especially that it should even be moved elsewhere.” He highlighted the economic boon SIAF provides, noting that it attracts tourists who often extend their stays, boosting the regional economy.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Defense plans to gradually bring SIAF back to Sliac within the next two to three years, once the airport’s reconstruction is complete. In the interim, alternative locations such as Piestany or Poprad are under consideration. “Until then, will we consider Piestany, Poprad? We’ll see,” Kalinak remarked, leaving the door open for flexibility in the short term.
The cancellation marks another hurdle for SIAF, which has faced disruptions in recent times. Yet, the Ministry’s involvement signals a commitment to revitalizing the event and enhancing its appeal. For context, the neighbouring Czech Republic hosts five airshows annually, underscoring a vibrant regional appetite for aviation events that Slovakia aims to tap into with a reimagined SIAF.
While this year’s absence leaves a void for fans and local businesses alike, the Ministry’s vision offers hope for a reinvigorated return to Sliac, promising a future where Slovakia’s skies once again buzz with the excitement of the SIAF International Airshow.
