Wales Airshow

Taking to the skies over Swansea Bay on 3 and 4 July 2021

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2020 Wales Airshow update

March 24, 2020 By Chris Williams

*Update*

In light of the current situation, events directly organised by Swansea Council have been cancelled or postponed until the end of August 2020.

We’re sorry to announce that cancelled events include the 2020 Wales Airshow, which was due to take place on 4 – 5 July this year.

Our team will still be here to help, to keep you updated, and to share some great photos and videos from previous year’s to help brighten your timelines, but in the meantime please stay safe and follow the guidelines from Public Health Wales and the Government.

We’ll see you soon!

The Wales Airshow team


Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve made this decision to cancel or postpose council-organised events based on advice from Government and Public Health Wales. We’ll review the August end date on a regular basis.

“We haven’t taken this decision lightly but the situation is now compelling. Trying to curtail the spread of the virus along with maintaining the health and wellbeing of our staff, public, suppliers and the emergency services is paramount.

“We face possibly the most challenging situation that any of us has ever faced and we’re sure that event businesses and supporters will understand this decision.

“We know the importance of public events organised by the council but, for now, it’s essential that we do what we can to reduce the spread of the virus.

“This decision will reduce the risk of loss of life and will allow us to get back to putting on events as quickly as possible.

“At present, we’re advising our external event providers that they must satisfy themselves that they are doing all they need to in order to meet the Government  guidelines and to safeguard the public. We will continue to review this in partnership with them as the situation evolves.”

Swansea Council’s Events Team remains available to provide advice and support to partner businesses. Email: special.events@swansea.gov.uk.

More info: www.swansea.gov.uk/coronavirusadvice.


If you have concerns over your own health, or any questions about the Coronavirus or it’s symptoms, take a look at the Public Health Wales website for the latest advice and guidance.

The latest information from Swansea Council can be found here.

Regular updates from the UK Government can be found here.

Filed Under: Airshow News, Press Releases

Three more aircrafts added to the Wales Airshow line-up

June 14, 2019 By Chris Williams

Photo copyright: Paul Johnson / Flightline

A military helicopter more used to the challenges of the Arctic and the deserts of Afghanistan will be performing in the skies over Swansea as part of this summer’s Wales Airshow.

The unmistakable Chinook helicopter, workhorse of armies, air forces and navies around the world, will be putting in an appearance on both days of the free event on July 6 and 7.

RAF Chinook

With a maximum speed of 160 knots and a maximum altitude of 15,000 feet, the 30-metre long Chinook can be operated in the Arctic, jungle or desert. Its cockpit has a full night-time capability when operated with night-vision goggles, allowing low-level night operations in hostile environments. 

The Chinook has been on active service in military and humanitarian operations with the RAF since the 1980s. It saw action in the Falklands War, in Kosovo and in the two Gulf Wars and can carry up to 55 fully-laden soldiers.

Photo Copyright: Paul Johnson / Flightline

Along with the Chinook will be the RAF Tucano, a fast jet training to RAF and RN aircrew on their training pathway to frontline fast jet aircraft. It has a length of 32ft with a wingspan of 37ft and combines the economy of turboprop power with jet-like handling. 

The Tutor will also be taking to the sky of Swansea over the 2 days.  Used for Elementary Flying Training by all 3 of the Armed Services, the Tutor provides flying instruction to University students and air experience flying to members of the Air Cadet organisation.

Photo Copyright: CRN Official

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “This is one of our flagship events in the annual event calendar and it’s the best free event of its kind in Wales, which draws in many thousands of spectators from across South Wales and beyond, thanks to the combination of world class aerobatic displays, vintage aircraft and ground-based entertainment.

“As well as generating a bumper weekend of business for our traders, the Wales Airshow helps raise Swansea’s profile as city of high quality events. It’s one of many events and activities taking place this summer as part of our Enjoy Swansea programme of events and activities.”

The Red Arrows, the Typhoon display team, The Catalina, The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and The Blades have also been confirmed for the Wales Airshow.

There are some new displays never been seen at Wales Airshow before which are  still yet to be announced! These will be fed into the Airshow App along with the timetable of displays a few days before the event.

The Wales Airshow App is available in Appstore and Google Play

Filed Under: Airshow News, Press Releases

2019 Ground Displays Finalised

June 7, 2019 By Chris Rees

The ground displays promise to be exciting once again this year for visitors to the Wales Airshow in Swansea next month

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary celebrations of Swansea’s city status and Armed Forces Day, the on the ground displays and activities will be offering a range of static and interactive experiences.

Static Chinook

Thanks to the extra space being generated by the temporary closure of part of Oystermouth Road over the weekend, the footprint of the event has been increased and displays will include static examples of the Spitfire and Hurricane planes that will be showing off their skills as part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight – which this year is being sponsored by Great Western Railway.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism said: “The ground events are going to be great again this year and admission, as always, is free.

“Apart from being able to watch the Red Arrows reach for the sky, visitors will also have the chance to try out a Red Arrows simulator as well as a Typhoon

The visit of the ground-based Spitfire and Hurricane is a first for the Wales Airshow and they’ll be accompanied by experts ready to tell the wartime stories of these two iconic Battle of Britain-winning planes.

In addition to these attractions there will be a funfair at the Civic Centre west car park, military displays including a Replica Chinook and the Navy and Marines Virtual Reality Team. They’ll be giving visitors the chance to experience what it’s like to stand on an aircraft carrier as planes take off as well as an interactive boat-riding experience.

New for this year is also the RAF Police Military Working Dogs display which will take place twice a day on the beach area between The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen (formerly the 360 café) and the old slip bridge.

RAF Military Dogs

On the Saturday, the Airshow couples up with Armed Forces Day which  is the annual UK celebration of the debt of gratitude the country owes to the men and women of the Army, Navy and RAF who have served – and still serve – in combat zones around the world. The Armed forces ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph on Saturday July 6th from 10.30am

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “We’re expecting over 250,000 people to enjoy the Wales Airshow, with local businesses due to benefit from millions of pounds worth of extra spending.

He said: “The city centre will be very much open for business as normal and it’s proximity to the Airshow means that people can have the best of both worlds, just a short stroll away.  As with any major event of this scale, there will be a large volume of visitors coming into the city over the weekend. For safety reasons, there will diversions in place and we would  advise travellers to allow extra time when planning their journey.
Visit www.swansea.gov.uk/airshow or www.walesairshow.co.uk to download the Airshow App or to find out more information about road closures, diversions and event car parks and park and ride services.

Filed Under: Airshow News, Press Releases

Aerobatic airline to star at 2019 Wales Airshow

May 22, 2019 By Chris Williams

The world’s only aerobatic airline will thrill tens of thousands of people in Swansea this year on Sunday 7 July at the Wales Airshow.

The Blades Aerobatic Team is due to appear over the city at the Wales Airshow, taking place on Saturday July 6 and Sunday July 7.

The Wales Airshow, organised by Swansea Council, will also include a range of other air displays including the ever popular Red Arrows. This year, as part of Swansea’s 50th anniversary celebrations, there will also be an after-dark event on the Saturday from 8.30pm. 

Robert Francis-Davies, cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “The Blades are a real rarity – fully sanctioned by the Civil Aviation Authority to fly fare-paying passengers in close formation.

“They fly dynamic displays across Europe and I’m sure their display over Swansea Bay will be an unforgettable experience.

Based in Northamptonshire, the Blades have, for the first time, former RAF Red Arrows pilot Mike Ling (Lingy) at the control. Mike Ling, the longest serving RAF Red Arrows pilot has been at Wales Airshow for many years with the Reds but this will be his first year at the Airshow performing as part of the  Blades display team instead.

Mike Ling said “I am very excited to be heading back to Swansea for the Wales Airshow in July. Ben Murphy (Head of The Blades) and I were the Synchro Pair in the Red Arrows at the inaugural event in 2009 and I very much enjoyed heading back to meet the huge crowds in Swansea Bay as the Red Arrows’ commentator in 2015, 2016 and 2017. It was then great to display as Red 3 with the Red Arrows in 2018 but now I get to display as Blade 3 in 2019, swapping my Hawk for my Extra 300 to perform some dazzling aerobatics as a member of the world’s only aerobatic airline.

“The natural amphitheatre of the Bay and the beach packed with spectators makes Swansea one of the best display locations we could ask for.”

The Blades are now in their 14th display season, and performs its globally recognised display to around four million spectators every year.

Flying precision, close-formation aerobatics, the Blades celebrate an aviation milestone this year – 1,000 displays flown.

They showcase the performance and capabilities of the single-propeller Extra 300 as an aerobatic stunt plane.

Undertaking aerobatic manoeuvres less than four metres apart and with crossing speeds of around 350mph, they execute high-speed synchronised passes and extreme gyroscopic aerobatics.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “In the year that Swansea marks its 50th anniversary as a city we  want to ensure that the Airshow continues to live up to its reputation as being one of our flagship events.”

“The event gets more popular every year. As well as aerial displays, ground-based entertainment and activities form part of the event.”

“The Wales Airshow is one of the UK’s biggest free events and it’s all about the spectacular. Keep an eye on the Facebook page and website as more displays are confirmed over the coming weeks.”

The Wales Airshow App, available in Appstore and Google Play, will be updated with information about all of the displays as they are confirmed over the coming weeks.

Filed Under: Airshow News, Press Releases

Airshow After Dark

April 18, 2019 By Chris Williams

A summer’s evening of music, action and airborne excitement is set to transform the sky above Swansea this July.

For the first time, hot air balloons and night-flying aerobatic teams will be gathering to party over Swansea as part of the Wales Airshow weekend.

The special event from 8.30pm on July 6, which will also feature music from 1969, is being staged to help celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary and the show is expected to be really exciting.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said the Wales Airshow is already one of the UK’s biggest free events but this year, we wanted to do something extra to mark the city’s 50th anniversary year.

He said: “The Wales Airshow is all about the spectacular and we know that the huge crowds it draws to the city really appreciate the aerial displays and ground events which form the main part of the event.

“We’re among the Red Arrows’ biggest fans and that’s why they made sure we were on their summer schedule for both days of the event.

“But the ‘After Dark’ event promises to add something really special for evening visitors to enjoy. Anyone who’s ever seen hot air balloons by night will know what an amazing sight they are.

“The hot air firing balloons will be spaced out and tethered along Swansea beach and we’ll also have the Fireflies Display Team – two display aircraft with fireworks firing off their wings – doing a night-time stunt show.

“Also planned is a night-time jump by the Tigers parachute display team, one of our Wales Airshow regulars.”

On the ground there will be live music nostalgically taking people back to the late 60s to celebrate some of the sounds topping the charts in the year that Swansea was first designated as a city.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “Swansea 50 is a celebration of our city’s past, present and future and the Wales Airshow comes less than a week after the official anniversary date of July 3.

“The Wales Airshow has become part of our city’s history and modern heritage with around 250,000 visitors taking to the beach across the two days of the event. We wanted to do something a bit special for the 50th anniversary and ‘After Dark’ at the Airshow will be just that.”

‘This is just one of many events planned throughout the year to commemorate Swansea’s 50th anniversary. Residents and businesses are also being asked to join in by coming up with their own events and ideas to celebrate the unique milestone.

To find out how you can be part of Swansea 50 go to www.swansea50.co.uk

Filed Under: Airshow News, Press Releases

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The Wales Airshow, Wales’ biggest free event, returns to Swansea Bay on 3 & 4 July 2021!

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  • 2020 Wales Airshow update
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Wales Airshow

The Wales Airshow, Wales’ biggest free event, returns to Swansea Bay on 3 & 4 July 2021. The free Wales Airshow features breathtaking aerobatic displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes from the past, thrilling tens of thousands of visitors in Swansea Bay. Expect to see exciting air displays, incredible ground displays, entertainment and much more. For updates, sign up to our mailing list and be sure to follow us on social media.

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