Wales Airshow

Taking to the skies over Swansea Bay on 5 and 6 July 2025

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to fly a Red Arrows jet?

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WalesAirshow

Or what it’s like to be part of a Chinook helicopter crew, a member of the RAF Tutor aerobatic display team or to work with the Tigers Parachute Display Team?

Well now’s your chance to ask those questions – as part of Swansea Council’s Wales Airshow virtual digital celebration.

Key questions could concern the top speed of a Red Arrows jet as it flies across Swansea Bay or how long it takes to pack a parachute.

The council’s Cultural Services Events and Marketing teams are behind the Wales Airshow – A Digital Celebration #AtHome.

And they’re inviting you to submit written questions or a video question via the Wales Airshow Facebook by noon this Monday, June 15.

Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “Although the Wales Airshow had to be cancelled this year due to the pandemic, our teams will run an online celebration on Saturday, July 4, from 11am-5pm.

“Part of the event will be a question and answer session. We’ve had a fantastic response from the display teams who’d normally attend the event.

“Those answering the public’s questions will include Red Arrows Squadron Leader Steve Morris; a captain, display crewman and engineer from the RAF Chinook Display Team; a pilot from aerobatics specialists Team Raven;  a pilot from the Strikemaster jet;  a member of the RAF Typhoon Display Team;  a pilot from the Tutor team; a team leader parachutist from the Tigers plus aerobatic pilot Lauren Wilson.

“They’re all looking forward to receiving questions from fans of the Wales Airshow.”

Questions and videos should be submitted via the Wales Airshow Facebook inbox before noon this Monday. A selection of your questions and videos will be aired in the digital celebration’s Q&A section.

2020 Wales Airshow update

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*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.

Wales Airshow 2020 Dates

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Wales Airshow Swansea bay beach

The free Wales Airshow will be returning to Swansea Bay on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th July 2020. Breathtaking aerobatic displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes from the past will thrill tens of thousands of visitors in Swansea Bay next summer. We’re looking to make 2020 even bigger with even more exciting air display teams and entertainment.

More information will be available soon so stay tuned to our social media accounts, this website and don’t forget to download the official Wales Airshow APP!.

Amazing weekend for 2019 Wales Airshow

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RAF Red Arrows

SWANSEA Bay’s Wales Airshow enjoyed another brilliant year with hundreds of thousands of people descending on the city to enjoy the country’s biggest free show.

Two days of air displays featuring The Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the first ever ‘After Dark’ element to the airshow added a new feature for visitors from all over the UK.
Huge crowds turned up to enjoy a whole range of displays and activities on the ground as well as in the air to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of Swansea’s city status.

Huge crowds flocked to Wales Airshow

Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Innovation, Regeneration and Tourism, said: “It was yet another fantastic weekend for Swansea. On the 50th anniversary of Swansea being named a city, the After Dark event proved to be a huge success.

“Hot air balloons, the Tigers parachute display team, the Fireflies aerobatic display team topped-off by an amazing fireworks display made for a real party atmosphere.

“The Airshow contributes millions of pounds to local businesses and the local economy every year. We’d like to thank local businesses and residents for their patience with the road closures and to all traders for their contribution to the show’s success year on year.”

For safety and security reasons this year’s airshow saw road closures on Oystermouth Road which started on the Friday, but this also meant that visitors had more safe space to enjoy increased ground displays including a rare appearance on the ground of a Spitfire.

Cllr Francis-Davies said: “The real stars of the show, apart from those in the skies, were the hundreds of thousands of people who came to enjoy a day out or a weekend in Swansea. The family atmosphere they helped generate resulted in one of the best weekends the city has seen.

“I also want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the tremendous effort put in by council staff, South Wales Police and by our other partners to make the event such a brilliant showcase. I’d also like to thank our sponsors who help to support the sustainability of the Show.

“We’re confident that the thousands of visitors who enjoyed themselves this year will return to Swansea Bay again soon. We are already looking forward to the rest of this year’s events calendar, giving more people even more reasons to visit.”

Two days of flying wowed the crowds with highlights coming from the Red Arrows, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, while the first ever After Dark element to the airshow added a new attraction for visitors from all over the UK on Saturday night.

The RAF Typhoon Display Team
Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

Across the weekend huge crowds turned up to enjoy a whole range of displays and activities on the ground as well as in the air to help celebrate one of the landmark events of the Swansea 50 celebrations.

Part of Swansea’s 50th Anniversary as a a city

Swansea Council cabinet member for innovation, regeneration and tourism Robert Francis-Davies said: “The real stars of the show, apart from those in the skies, were the hundreds of thousands of people who came to enjoy a day out or a weekend in Swansea. The family atmosphere they helped generate resulted in one of the best weekends the city has seen.”

Three more aircrafts added to the Wales Airshow line-up

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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

Returning to the skies above Swansea Bay 5 and 6 July 2025!

Featuring breathtaking aerobatic displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes from the past, tens of thousands of visitors enjoy the Wales Airshow in Swansea Bay every year. 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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