Puerto de la Cruz Hosts 30th International Aeromodelling and Aeronautics Festival
Puerto de la Cruz celebrated the 30th International Aeromodelling and Aeronautics Festival on July 26, 2026, highlighting the city's deep-rooted aviation history and fostering connections between the public and national security agencies.
Puerto de la Cruz cemented its status as the heart of Canary Islands aeronautical culture this Sunday, July 26, 2026, as it hosted the 30th International Aeromodelling and Aeronautics Festival. The event was designed not only to showcase technical skill but also to help the public connect more closely with security and defense agencies.
Held on the esplanade near the Santa Bárbara battery, the festival offered attendees a chance to interact directly with the Armed Forces and emergency services. Mayor Leopoldo Afonso attributed the event’s 30-year success to its unique ability to blend the municipality’s historical heritage with modern technology.
The festival is deeply rooted in Tenerife’s aviation history, which dates back to 1913 and 1914, when French pilots Maurice Poument and Lucien Demazel first flew over the San Felipe ravine. This early passion for flight eventually led a local group to officially include aeromodelling in the city’s patron saint festival program in 1981.
Over the past three decades, the festival has become a major national event, attracting high-profile guests such as astronaut Pedro Duque, the Patrulla Águila aerobatic team, and renowned radio-control experts like Juan Cerdán and Ferman. These contributions have helped the festival grow from a local tradition into a key fixture of the Spanish aeronautical sector.