Wales Airshow Moved to 2022

SOME of the most exciting planes and airborne stunt shows are set to be flying high over Swansea next summer after the pandemic forced this year’s Wales Airshow to be grounded.

It means what promises to be the biggest and best Wales Airshow ever will be back on July 2 and 3, 2022.

The move comes after a string of airshows around Britain have been cancelled due to continuing uncertainty about UK and Welsh Government’s ability to give the green light for very large spectator events this summer.

Events at Rhyl, Blackpool, Weston-super-Mare and Southport have already been called off and now Swansea Council has reluctantly accepted the Wales Airshow 2021 will be cancelled for this year.

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve been there for the people of Swansea throughout the pandemic and we will be there for our communities as we emerge from it.

“We were desperate to see a return for Wales’ biggest free spectator event this year and we’ve waited as long as possible before making a decision in the hope it would be able to go ahead.

“Test events are ongoing but there is still no indication of when it might be possible to lift restrictions on social distancing, or when there may be clarity about whether it could go ahead, given more than 250,000 usually attend the event.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “We want to restart our amazing annual events programmes as soon as the pandemics restrictions allow. We know people want to get back to enjoying concerts, events, gigs and festivals and we are working hard to design a programme that could be activated for the latter part of 2021 and early next year.

“However for the Wales Airshow, which takes months to plan and attracts more than 250,000 visitors, it unfortunately takes place before the point where there is certainty about whether restrictions laid down by the national governments, would allow an event with such large numbers.  

“Therefore we have been forced to make a decision to cancel. However as soon as we have that certainty about the months ahead our teams will be working to confirm other events.

“The end of 2021 and 2022 could be a phenomenal year with the opening of the new Arena, fewer or no restrictions, the return of big events, and a backlog of deferred concerts and festivals.” 

Regarded as one of the biggest and most popular free events in Wales and attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Swansea Bay, this year’s event was due to take place on Saturday 3 July and Sunday 4 July. 

The council’s events team is already considering a summer schedule of events that might be able to go ahead and working up plans for a spectacular November fireworks display and Christmas parade in the event that they can go ahead with these subject to guidance and other factors.

Cllr Francis-Davies added: “If there’s one lesson we’ve all learned over the last 12 months or so it is that public safety must always be the number one priority when it comes to Covid-19.

“But as we emerge from the pandemic, restrictions are eased and the benefits of the amazing NHS vaccination programme continue to be felt, there is optimism for the future.

“We want to be able to put a smile back on people’s faces even if sometimes the pandemic might mean they’re hidden behind masks.”

He added: “Our events calendar is a moving feast and we have been continually re-adjusting our own programme as well as that of our partners and other private sector events in an ever-evolving landscape. 

“We are still keeping a watching eye on summer and autumn with a view to both hosting and enabling events to take place in line with Welsh Government guidance.”

For information on events in Swansea visit enjoyswanseabay.com

*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

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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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 50^th 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 50^th 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.