Kathrine Frich
The MAKS air show served as the ultimate display of Russian aerospace power.
Big international trade shows are supposed to show off your finest achievements to the world.
They bring in buyers, tourists, and endless press coverage. But when a nation faces intense global isolation and mounting security issues, hosting a massive public celebration becomes an almost impossible task.
Missing from the skies
For decades, the sky above a small town near Moscow would roar with cutting-edge fighter jets and commercial airliners. The MAKS air show served as the ultimate display of Russian aerospace power.
Now, those skies will remain quiet for another summer. The Russian government has officially cancelled the 2026 edition of the international aviation expo.
The decision was quietly published on the national legal information portal. According to a newly released document, authorities have completely scrubbed the gathering from this year’s official calendar.
A string of delays
Government officials did not provide a specific reason for the cancellation. But this is far from the first time the prestigious aviation event has faced major hurdles.
Before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, organizers hosted the expo every two years in Zhukovsky. The massive aerospace show last took place in 2021.
Since then, the schedule has completely fallen apart. The state pushed the 2023 show to 2024, then delayed it to 2025, before scrapping the current iteration entirely.
Reading between the lines
While the decree lacks a formal explanation, top officials have previously hinted at the grim reality facing the country. The ongoing military conflict and international sanctions have heavily restricted the domestic aerospace industry.
When the show was delayed last year, the head of the state defense conglomerate Rostec offered a rare moment of blunt honesty. Sergey Chemezov made it clear that the political climate makes a global showcase impossible.
“There will be no MAKS. Postponed to next year. You understand yourself what time it is now,” Chemezov stated, referencing the tense wartime conditions.
Looking to the future
Security remains a massive concern for any large outdoor gathering located near the Russian capital. Over the past few years, the region has seen a sharp increase in unexpected aerial threats reaching deep into the country.
Bringing expensive aircraft to an open airfield presents a significant tactical risk. And thanks to heavy economic sanctions, very few foreign buyers would actually be able to attend the trade show anyway.
Despite these setbacks, Russian leaders have not given up entirely. Planners still have the MAKS expo listed on the official government schedule for 2027.
Sources: Official portal of legal information, Rostec
