ATHENS, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Greece's largest air show, the Athens Flying Week (AFW) Tanagra International Air Show 2019, took off Saturday for its 8th consecutive year at Tanagra Air Base, about 70 kilometers northwest of Athens.
An impressive air show with international participants offered aerobatics spectacle to thousands of aviation enthusiasts just from a short walking distance.
Considered as one the major air shows in Europe, the AFW ignited adrenaline and passion for more than 20 hours of spectacular flying action.
This year, 25 display teams from 11 countries strived in takeoffs and landings, incredible maneuvers, virtual dog fights, and breathtaking acrobatics with highly skilled pilots in action.
"Every year, we try to have new participants who will offer something different to the audience," Panayiotis Podimatas, President of the AFW Organizing Committee, told Xinhua.
"We had today the opening of the largest Greek flag flown under a parachute, measuring 100 square meters. Also, we have for the first time in Greece the fleet of the Flying Bulls, designed during World War II... And, as always, the Greek Air Forces present their magnificent air show," said Podimatas.
The organizers of the event said the AFW aims to develop aviation.
"The message of this festival is to capture the aviation idea in all its forms. We want to show to people that it is easy to get involved in the flying field either professionally, or as an interest and hobby," Podimatas noted.
According to the organizers, the annual two-day aviation event has boasted more than 410,000 spectators from Greece and abroad throughout its seven-year course.
