The skies above El Paso will remain quiet this weekend as the 2025 Amigo Airsho, slated for October 18-19 at Biggs Army Airfield at Fort Bliss, has been canceled in the wake of a prolonged government shutdown. Fort Bliss Garrison Commander Col. Michael V. Soyka announced the cancellation on Friday, citing a failure to secure the necessary approvals due to federal law restrictions amidst the shutdown. According to KTSM, Soyka expressed that the decision was a compliance measure to prevent violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, which restricts certain activities during funding lapses.
Despite efforts by local officials to preserve the event until the eleventh hour, they were left without options as community outreach activities that do not directly relate to national security are strictly curtailed during shutdowns. This shutdown, in place since October 1, continues to affect numerous operations, with the Amigo Airsho being a highly visible casualty. "Everyone was trying to hold on to this event until the last moment to make it happen," Soyka said, in a statement obtained by KTSM. The cancellation was deeply felt, especially considering the show had only last year made a spirited return after a 12-year hiatus.
Ticket holders for the airshow can expect refunds, as the organizing committee has pledged to issue them. An alternative offer extends the validity of this year's tickets to the next event, scheduled to feature the Navy’s Blue Angels in 2026. Ticket holders will be informed via email with refund instructions, MountainStar Sports Group Chairman Alan Russell informed KTSM.
Amidst tangible disappointment, queries have been raised by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, over the particularity of the cancellation, noting the continuation of other military-related events. "Tens of thousands of El Pasoans and visitors from across the region have been looking forward to the Amigo Airsho," Escobar stated. Such concerns amplify community frustrations, as stated by Mayor Renard Johnson, who acknowledged the dedication poured into the Airsho's planning and preparation by countless El Pasoans. In the midst of expressing gratitude to those involved, Johnson lamented the lost opportunity to showcase community spirit. He told KTSM, "This show has always represented the best of who we are as a community."
Local reactions to the cancellation have been mixed, revealing a multifaceted community response. Some El Pasoans shared their pragmatic perspective about the situation with KFOX14, highlighting the importance of financial stability for troops as a priority over entertainment events. Others, dismayed by the shutdown's impact, empathized with local vendors and families who had been eagerly anticipating the Amigo Airsho. As a statement of resilience and commitment to the tradition, organizers and supporters echoed the sentiment of a unifying mission, to reconvene next year, hopefully under brighter fiscal and operational skies.
