Three MB-339 aircraft from the Italian Air Force’s elite Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team collided mid-air during a display at the Pantelleria Airshow on May 6, 2025, turning a routine performance into a gripping test of skill. The incident unfolded over the small island of Pantelleria, nestled between Sicily and Tunisia, as stunned spectators watched the jets tangle during a complex manoeuvre. Remarkably, all three pilots managed to wrestle their damaged machines back to the ground safely, with no injuries reported among the crowd below. One aircraft, however, veered off the runway after landing, its nose wheel giving out under the strain.

The Finnish Air Force aerobatic team, the Midnight Hawks, is gearing up to thrill audiences at Rivolto Air Base in Udine, Italy, during the Frecce Tricolori 65th Anniversary Airshow on September 6-7. This event is a big deal for aviation fans everywhere, as it marks the only international performance by the Midnight Hawks this season, bringing a touch of Finnish flair to Italy’s biggest airshow this year.

On April 8, 2025, the skies above Rome transformed into a vibrant showcase of unity as the United Kingdom’s Red Arrows and Italy’s Frecce Tricolori executed a breathtaking joint flyover. This historic event was staged to celebrate King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s state visit to Italy, blending ceremonial grandeur with a powerful symbol of the deepening bond between the two nations.

Aviation enthusiasts and spectators alike are set for an exceptional year in 2025, as two significant airshows are scheduled to take place in Europe, each commemorating monumental anniversaries of their respective national aerobatic teams.

In a landmark transition that underscores a new era for Italy’s elite aerobatic team, the Italian Air Force Frecce has officially unveiled the state-of-the-art M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer for the Frecce Tricolori. This move marks a significant upgrade after more than four decades of service by the MB-339PAN, reversing an earlier decision to equip the squadron with the M-345 High-Efficiency Trainer.