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The NATO Tiger Meet 2026 is one of the most anticipated events in the European aviation calendar, bringing together front-line fighter squadrons from across NATO that share the distinctive tiger squadron emblem... And full details have now been announced!
Hosted at Araxos Air Base in Greece, this exercise combines intensive exercise flying ops with a host of special schemes, making it particularly appealing for us aviation photographers.
This trip will include time spent on a low-level hunt (nothing guaranteed, but "in it to win it" excitement and hope!), followed by the action-packed Spotters Day (Friday 8th) and the Tiger Meet Airshow (Sunday 10th), too. What a mix!
Basing ourselves in Patras allows straightforward access to Araxos Air Base as well as the nearby low-level photography areas, ensuring each day is built around practical shooting opportunities as well as a great social evening scene.
Indeed, whilst the flying is the clear priority, the trip also offers usual strong COAP social element. Evenings are spent as a group, reviewing images, sharing experiences from the day, and discussing plans for upcoming shoots. It’s an opportunity not just to photograph a unique military aviation event, but to do so alongside like-minded enthusiasts who value both the aircraft and the photography.
Overall, this is a well-paced, photography-focused trip designed for those who want to come away with a strong set of images from one of NATO’s most distinctive and visually rewarding exercises.
You do need to register for the Spotters Day and Air Show aspects of the trip and more info is available in the 'What You Need to Know' section below.
Practical details
From £1325 twin share (land only, flight quotes available from your airport on request)
From £1695 single room (land only, flight quotes available from your airport on request)
Travel Notes:
If you book twin-share without naming a roommate, your booking may sit provisionally until a match is found. If a match can’t be made, you may be asked to move to the single-room rate.
This is land only pricing.
Flights can be quoted on request through our agent, HC Travel, if you’d like them arranged as part of your booking.
Please do not book your own sourced flights until the trip is confirmed as going ahead and you’ve received the final joining instructions.
Aviation-led itineraries can shift, and we don’t want anyone locked into the wrong timings. Passports, entry requirements, and travel insurance are your responsibility. Insurance is mandatory from time of booking and should cover medical, cancellation/curtailment, and camera gear.
Please note that if you want a shorter trip, our sister brand Ian Allan Aviation Tours is running a tour from Thursday 7th to Monday 11th, to include the Spotters Day and Airshow only. CLICK HERE
A more detailed itinerary will follow but our initial program is based on the following:
Tuesday 5th May: Meet in Athens Airport (Flights bookable on your request), head to Patras.
Wednesday 6th May: Day in the Low-Level training area in the hope of NTM exercise participants. Nothing is guaranteed, ever.
Thursday 7th May: Day in the Low-Level training area in the hope of NTM exercise participants. Nothing is guaranteed, ever.
Friday 8th May: Day at Araxos Air Base for NATO Tiger Meet Spotters Day event on base.
Saturday 9th May: Non flying day. Local activity, visit local wrecks and relics, image review, local sights.
Sunday 19th May: On base at Araxos for the NATO Tiger Meet Air Show event.
Monday 11th May: Morning and early afternoon in the Low Level area before departing for Athens and evening flights home.
In order to enter the events, a purchase of a ticket costing 50 EUR is required from the Hellenic air Force (HAF). With this ticket, spotters will have free access on the day of the Air Show (10/5/2026) as well as to the Spotters event, without the need to purchase an additional ticket for the Air Show.
In order to apply for a ticket, you will need to go to the Hellenic Air Forces own application page at the following address:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdsWi2Fg8zVX0Vkw6TxxbPGQ-jq3QZN4q9ALuxE9U2JFFt4Kg/viewform
Please be aware the form contains information both Greek and English - so please read the details very carefully. The form must be submitted with the payment online by May 3rd.
The payment also includes a Spotters Day welcome pack consisting of a backpack with the exercise logo, Remove Before Flight keychain and exercise patch.
Full details of application process, including the all important bank details you need to send your payment to are available at:
https://www.haf.gr/en/2026/04/registration-instructions-spotters-day-nato-tiger-meet/
Once you have completed the form, you will need to use online banking or a payment gateway to make the payment. You will not receive an email confirmation from the HAF. Please ensure you keep your confirmation of payment. You WILL need this to enter the event!
The HAF application and payment system is entirely separate to the COAP event payments and booking process.
