This time next year, the skies will fill with Doves, heart and a mission to support something legendary. On Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 27, 2026, more than 100 aircraft will take off across the US, each carrying something far more valuable than cargo – hope, pride and the dreams of 1,000 Special Olympics athletes and coaches.
The 2026 Special Olympics Airlift, organized by Textron Aviation in collaboration with our customers and the Special Olympics USA Games, is more than a logistical feat – it’s a national movement of generosity and support. Participating Cessna, Beechcraft and Hawker aircraft will transport athletes and coaches to the USA Games in Minnesota’s Twin Cities, landing at St. Paul Downtown Airport Holman Field (KSTP) in a carefully choreographed display.
This event is the largest peacetime airlift in the world, with a Dove scheduled to land or take off approximately every three minutes. Behind every flight plan is a story of athletes who’ve trained for years, of families filled with pride and of pilots who’ve volunteered their time and aircraft to make it all possible.
As we begin the one-year countdown, the spirit of the Airlift is already taking shape. This is your invitation to be part of something extraordinary. Your involvement lifts more than just airplanes – it lifts lives.
At the heart of the Airlift is a simple phrase that captures the essence of this mission: "Everybody needs a lift every now and then." Become a Dove today and help them soar.
About Special Olympics Airlift
The Special Olympics Airlift, organized by Textron Aviation and its customers in collaboration with the Special Olympics USA Games, is a powerful demonstration of aviation community and impact.
Since the Airlift's inception in 1987, this remarkable initiative has brought together the aviation community to transport over 10,000 athletes and their families to the Special Olympics USA Games, helping ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.