"2026 Sacheon Airshow" Opens with Aerospace and Defense Exhibition

Held for four days, October 22-25, at Sacheon Airfield and across Sacheon City
KF-21 and T-50 demonstration flights, Black Eagles aerobatic performances, and more
More than 100 companies from Korea and abroad to take part; export consultations and industry exchange programs to be held

The 2026 Sacheon Airshow opened at Sacheon Airfield on October 22 and will run for four days, through October 25, at the airfield and across Sacheon City.

Co-hosted by the Republic of Korea Air Force, Gyeongsangnam-do, Sacheon City, and Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd., the event features aircraft flight demonstrations and static displays, an aerospace and defense industry exhibition, export consultations, and hands-on activities.

This year, the Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition is being held in conjunction with the airshow for the first time, bringing together aviation events for the general public and industry exchange programs for businesses.

[Photo courtesy of Sacheon City] The Air Force's aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, performs aerial maneuvers at the 2026 Sacheon Airshow, which opened on the 22nd. The event also features demonstration flights by domestically developed aircraft, including the KF-21 and T-50, as well as a variety of aviation experience programs.

On opening day, October 22, major flight programs will begin with the opening ceremony and a celebratory flight, followed by an aerobatic performance by the Air Force's Black Eagles aerobatic team.

Demonstration flights by domestically developed aircraft, including the KF-21 fighter and T-50 advanced trainer, are scheduled during the event. Flight performances by invited teams, including Australia's Paul Bennett Airshows team, will also be featured.

The Black Eagles are scheduled to perform seven aerobatic shows in total during the event. However, the number and timing of flights each day may change depending on weather conditions and operational circumstances.

In addition to flight programs, the event offers a variety of activities, including static displays of aircraft, weapons, and equipment; transport aircraft experience flights; aviation simulations; and augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) experiences.

More than 100 companies from Korea and abroad are taking part in the Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition, showcasing technologies and products related to the aviation, aerospace, and defense industries and discussing opportunities for cooperation between businesses.

To accommodate the exhibition, two exhibition halls with a combined area of 6,050 square meters and an 850-square-meter export consultation hall have been set up at the venue. Export consultations and business programs involving representatives of Korean and overseas companies will take place on October 22 and 23.

International exchange events, with invitations extended to overseas air force chiefs of staff and business buyers, as well as industry-related conferences, are also planned.

The organizers expect the exhibition to showcase the technologies of Korean aerospace and defense companies and help them expand into overseas markets and create more opportunities for business collaboration. Educational and hands-on programs for young people and families will also be offered.

On October 24, the 2026 Korea Space Rover Challenge, a national rocket pitch competition, and the Sacheon Aerospace Education Festival are scheduled to take place.

On October 25, a special lecture by Geekble, which creates content related to the aerospace sector, will be held.

Military band and honor guard performances, along with local cultural events, will also take place during the event. Transportation and other facilities have been arranged for visitors' convenience.

Shuttle buses and temporary parking lots will operate during the event, and visitor rest areas, restrooms, and food courts have been set up at the venue.

The organizers are advising visitors to check access routes to the venue and shuttle bus schedules in advance to help reduce traffic congestion.

In particular, aircraft demonstration flights may be rescheduled or canceled depending on weather conditions and flight safety, so visitors should check the official event information before their visit.

Sacheon Mayor Park Dongsik said, "The Sacheon Airshow brings together aircraft flight demonstrations and opportunities for companies in the aerospace and defense industries to network and hold export consultations. Through the event, we will promote the competitiveness of the local aerospace industry and work to support the local economy."

[Photo courtesy of Sacheon City] The Air Force's aerobatic team, the Black Eagles, performs an aerial display at the 2026 Sacheon Airshow, which opened on the 22nd. The event also features demonstration flights by domestically developed aircraft, including the KF-21 and T-50, as well as a variety of aviation experience programs.

The event combines programs for the general public with business events aimed primarily at industry professionals. Specific schedules may change depending on operational circumstances.

This year's Sacheon Airshow differs from previous aviation events in that it combines aircraft flight demonstrations with the Aerospace and Defense Industry Exhibition.

Particular attention will be focused on how much the exhibition, which includes more than 100 companies from Korea and abroad, and the export consultations lead to actual contracts or technology partnerships between businesses.

Given the large number of visitors expected, on-site operations will also be a major challenge, including managing traffic congestion, ensuring visitor safety, and communicating changes to flight schedules due to weather.

After the event, its organizers will need to analyze visitor numbers, its impact on the local economy, and the results of business consultations using specific figures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.