Sand & Fun 2026: The aviation airshow returns to Riyadh this November
This year, the airshow goes beyond planes, combining international business, investment, and innovation with live flying displays and interactive public experiences
Aviation enthusiasts, mark your calendars. The Saudi General Aviation Airshow – Sand & Fun 2026 will once again touch down at Al Thumamah Airport in Riyadh from Tuesday November 24 to Saturday November 28.
This year’s airshow will be larger than before. As announced by the Saudi Aviation Club, the event will be organised in partnership with Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia under the banner AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026.
The partnership adds international prestige to the popular Sand & Fun format, broadening its business, investment, and innovation efforts while maintaining the dynamic flying displays and public experiences at the forefront.
What to expect at the AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026
If previous editions are anything to go by, you can expect five days packed with action both in the air and on the ground.
AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 offers more than just aircraft on display. Expect exciting live flying demonstrations, close-up access to innovative private jets and light aircraft, family-friendly entertainment zones, interactive aviation activities, and plenty of hands-on experiences for curious minds of all ages.
Of course, what’s an air show without the aerial displays? Last year alone, visitors enjoyed over 90 spectacular performances, from precise flyovers by Saudi and international teams to specialised night displays that lit up the Riyadh sky.
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Expect the same adrenaline-pumping moments this year – engines thunder overhead, perfectly synchronised formations, and after-dark spectacles that turn the runway into a theatre in the sky.
Visitors can relax, soak up the atmosphere, take photos from the runway, and watch the skies come alive over Thumamah.
On the business side, the exhibition will bring together leading global players from the entire general aviation industry. Aircraft manufacturers, avionics and navigation system providers, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) specialists will all be under one runway-sized roof. In other words, it offers a comprehensive view of the aviation value chain – from cockpit technology to aftercare.
But it’s not just about traditional aviation. AERO Middle East x Sand & Fun 2026 will also showcase startups in advanced air mobility (AAM), including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that many believe will shape our future travel. Yes, flying taxis may no longer seem like science fiction…
So, whether you’re an industry insider, an aviation enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good airshow, this is one event worth checking out.
Tickets haven’t been released yet, but watch this space for updates.
Location: Al-Thumamah Airport, Riyadh
Dates: Nov 24 to 28
Visit: Sandnfun.com
Images: What’s On Archives / Social
