Porto, June 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The Air Invictus organisers have reached an agreement with tour operators on the River Douro, so that companies will receive compensation for any losses related to the event, which is due to begin on Friday, they announced on Wednesday.

In a statement signed by the event’s chief organiser, Luís Castro, the Air Invictus organisers state that they “have reached an agreement with the Douro operators whose jetties are situated between the Arrábida and D. Luís I bridges”.

The event in question is an air show to be held in the cities of Porto, Maia, Vila Nova de Gaia and Matosinhos, featuring aerial displays which, with just two days to go before the start, are still awaiting authorisation from the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC).

The organisers state that the agreement between Air Invictus and the Association of Maritime Tourism Activities (AAMTD) “was reached on 26 May and formalised last week”.

“The agreement includes a compensation payment that the organisation will make to each company for any losses suffered in their business as a result of the decisions imposed by the competent authorities during the period in which the air show is to take place,” the statement reads.

The organisation takes the opportunity to express its gratitude for “the positive and cordial spirit in which the discussions took place, enabling the agreement to be reached” and refers to the establishment of “bridges for other events to be held in the Douro”.

On Friday, the Douro Association of Maritime and Tourist Activities (AAMTD) expressed hope that future events will be planned more comprehensively, likening the current organisation to “building a house from the roof down” and highlighting the opportunity to enhance river-based planning to maximise business potential.

Pointing out that operators must receive compensation for any losses they may incur, even given the “expected revenue” of the air event organiser, board member Hugo Bastos considered that the process “got off to a somewhat challenging start”, particularly due to the ongoing authorisation process with ANAC.

He also said he found it challenging to “explain to people” that the plans they had made, sometimes years in advance, would now require alternative arrangements if the tourist boats were unable to sail on the Douro, particularly given the knock-on effects: flights, hotels, restaurants and other associated activities.

“The operators here on the Douro have a series of obligations towards their staff and towards the very reason for the business’s existence – the passengers – and everyone here has been planning five years ahead. We’re already selling trips five years in advance. (…) Given this, if an organisation announces that activities must pause on certain days, how can I best respond to my international customers?”, asked Hugo Bastos.

Nine years after the Red Bull Air Race planes competed over the River Douro, the programme for the new Air Invictus festival will unfold from Friday to Sunday.

Alongside the aerobatics and races featuring the world’s best pilots, organisers will present a parade of classic and contemporary civilian and military aircraft, music and a drone show, making a total of 15 events.

Organisers will hold the official ceremony on Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the CEiiA in Matosinhos. Over the weekend, alongside the competition, the skies above the Douro will host a ‘performance’ by national and international pilots specialising in aerobatics, a line-up that includes veteran Luís Garção.

The Portuguese Air Force will present historic aircraft from various eras, and some will appear on the riverbanks of Porto and Gaia.

Organisers will also stage concerts, DJ battles, and plenty of aerial entertainment on the riverbanks from Saturday to Sunday.

At the end of December, during the festival’s launch, the Minister for the Economy, Castro Almeida, estimated that Air Invictus could generate revenue in excess of €100 million.

Turismo de Portugal is providing €3.89 million in funding for the event, and the local councils of Porto, Gaia, Matosinhos and Maia are contributing €1.5 million.

PFT/ADB // ADB.

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