A CUTTING edge fighter jet capable of cruising at speeds of around 1,000mph without afterburners will once again be taking part in this year’s Wales National Airshow.

Swansea Council can confirm that the Eurofighter Typhoon will be returning to the event this summer! Flying out of RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, Flight Lieutenant Ryan Lawton will pilot this year’s Typhoon displays.

With a maximum speed of over 1,300mph, the Typhoon can reach an altitude of 55,000 feet. Measuring close to 16 metres in length, the aircraft has a wing span of over 11 metres.

Swansea University will be the event’s main sponsor this year, with the Red Arrows having also confirmed their participation.

Frances Jenkins, Swansea Council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “We’re delighted to announce that yet another world class display team has confirmed they’ll be taking part in this summer’s Airshow, ensuring that we meet our objective of delivering an event that continues to meet people’s expectations, year on year.

“As the council continues to work on the event’s organisation behind the scenes, residents and visitors can expect more confirmations over coming weeks.

“As well as aerial displays, ground-based entertainment will also form part of the event, which is being held this summer for the third consecutive year.”

The Wales Airshow is set to take place on the weekend of Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2 2017.

We are pleased to announce that Swansea University has been confirmed as the main sponsor for this summer’s free Wales Airshow.

2017 sees the Airshow return for a third year in a row and we’re very excited to have the University voted “Welsh University of the Year” by the Times Higher Good University Guide 2017.

Last year, the Airshow, part of the Enjoy Swansea programme of events and activities, attracted more than 200,000 spectators. As well as from the promenade, many people also watched the Airshow from the city centre, Mumbles and a number of other vantage points across the city.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Swansea University as the Wales Airshow’s main sponsor for 2017.

“Swansea University has been involved in the Airshow in the past, having previously sponsored the Red Arrows at the event, so to have them as the main sponsor of the 2017 Wales Airshow further cements the event partnership that’s already been established.

“As always, our aim is to make the Wales Airshow as successful and memorable as possible for many thousands of local people, visitors to the city and our sponsors.

“Back in 2015, we said we’d do all we could to make the Airshow an annual event in Swansea for the benefit of residents and businesses. Holding the Airshow for a third consecutive year demonstrates our commitment to delivering on that promise.”

Professor Richard B Davies, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, said: “The whole Swansea region should be proud that Swansea University was named the top University in Wales and the inaugural Welsh University of the Year in the 2017 Good University Guide published by the Times and Sunday Times newspapers. As part of our celebrations, we are delighted to partner with our friends at Swansea Council to support the Wales Airshow.

“Our Department of Aerospace Engineering is recognised as one of the top 200 in the World and seventh best in the UK, with many of our academic staff and students working on projects with large companies such as Rolls Royce and Airbus, as well as the Bloodhound car which will likely break the land-speed record this year. We encourage you all to come and visit our exceptional facilities on offer at both our Singleton and Bay Campuses, and we look forward to welcoming future Swansea University students at our open days on June 17, October 14 and October 28.”

Some of the aircraft that took part in last year’s Wales Airshow included the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Russian MiG from the Cold War. Details of the aircraft taking part in this year’s event will be announced over coming weeks.

Early bird partnership packages are still available for businesses and organisations looking to be involved in this summer’s Airshow. Email mags.pullen@swansea.gov.uk for more information or call 01792 635102.