The cancellation was announced 2 weeks ago and Soloturk posted it on their FB page so it won't be them. If (!) there are Turkish F-16s at El Prat, it has nothing to do with the cancelled airshow. All acts were informed immediately when the show was cancelled, I know this for a fact as I was sitting with 2 of the participating acts when the notification came in.
It is very unfortunate the show was cancelled. The location posed no safety or environmental problems for 21 years, it is since the appointment of a new director of the Spanish airport authority AENA has been making problems. It has caused a big controversy and of course, as AENA is a Spanish authority, there is also a Catalonian nationalist aspect.
Not only did AENA not grant pemission to hold the show, they also prohibited the open day at Sabadell where most of the participants would be parked, fearing it may turn into a visible public protest regarding their decision against Festa al Cel. They stated the open day was superfluous as there wouldn't be any visiting planes. Of course, this also denies some local aeroclubs and the Fundacio Parc Aeronautic de Catalunya an opportunity to present themselves to the public. Instead, there will now be a friendly lunch on Sunday at Sabadell, something which AENA has trouble forbidding.
Negociations are already underway to still have an airshow in 2014, with support of the Barcelona city council. If anyone is interested to send a message of support for the show, this can be done to
info@festaalcel.com.
I am certain all aviation and airshow enthusiasts want to see the return of the biggest annual airshow in Spain.
