The Somme International Air Show took place this year on August 23 and 24, 2025 at Amiens – Henry Potez International Airport in Méaulte, near Amiens.
This large-scale event, organized by Blue Sky Organization welcomed 20,000 spectators who came to admire the largest air show in the Hauts-de-France region.
A unique drone show to celebrate French aviation
On Saturday evening at 10 p.m., nearly 300 Allumee drones took to the skies above Méaulte to pay tribute to Henry Potez and celebrate the centenary of his iconic factory, marking 101 years of French aeronautical history.
THE drone show, Accompanied by a narrative voice, it offered a true journey through the history of aviation for 9 minutes.
Drones recreated the silhouettes of iconic aircraft produced by the Potez factories over the decades in the night sky. Spectators were able to see the illuminated outlines of historic fighter jets, the prestigious Concorde, civilian airliners, and the imposing Airbus Beluga.
The silhouette of Henry Potez himself was reproduced by drones, personalizing this tribute to the man who marked the French aeronautical industry for decades.
A narrative approach through storytelling that resonated with the audience.
An exceptional weekend for aviation enthusiasts
The Somme International Air Show has confirmed its status as an unmissable event for aviation enthusiasts.
With over 120 aircraft present on the ground and in the air, the event offered a particularly rich and varied program.
Spectators were treated to demonstrations by the Patrouille de France, admired the maneuvers of the Rafale, F-16 and Gripen fighter jets, and discovered the capabilities of military transport aircraft such as the A400M and the C130. Fans of historic aviation were not forgotten, with the presence of legendary aircraft: Dakotas, Pitts, Corsairs, T-6s, Fokkers, Yaks, Spitfires and Hurricanes flew over Méaulte, recalling the golden age of 20th-century aviation.
The program also included helicopter demonstrations, parachute drops and, of course, presentations of civilian and military drones, showcasing the technological evolution of the aeronautical sector.
A twilight show followed by a luminous evening
On Saturday, the festivities began at 3 p.m. with the opening of the doors to the public. Numerous activities punctuated the afternoon, allowing visitors to discover the aircraft on display and to interact with the pilots and technical teams.
The twilight show began at 5:30 p.m., featuring demonstrations of foreign fighter jets and military aircraft in the golden light of late afternoon. This special program created a unique atmosphere, with the silhouettes of the aircraft standing out against the orange sunset sky.
The evening continued until the Allumee drone show at 10 p.m., followed by a fireworks display which brought this first day to a beautiful close.
This combination of ancient and modern technologies, history and innovation, particularly impressed the spectators present.
Drone shows serving aeronautical heritage
Drone sound and light shows prove to be particularly suitable for celebrating the history of aviation.
This technology makes it possible to faithfully recreate the silhouettes of historical aircraft in the night sky, offering a spectacular display that captivates the public while conveying an educational and heritage message.
Allumee has already demonstrated this ability to showcase the great figures of French aeronautics.
On July 13th, the Lyon-based company put on a show in Muret to celebrate the centenary of the death of Clément Ader, a pioneer of French aviation. This performance made it possible to pay tribute to the inventor of the Éole and to recall his foundational role in the history of world aviation.
These two events perfectly illustrate the versatility of drone shows to celebrate different eras and personalities of aviation.
Whether it's Clément Ader and the first steps of aviation or Henry Potez and the 20th century aeronautical industry, drones make it possible to create visual narratives adapted to each story, each place and each audience.
