Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow returned last week with one of its biggest crowds ever, as hundreds of thousands of visitors flocked to see the flying displays over Eastbourne seafront.

Visitor numbers remained strong, despite the planned rail strike, with over flow car parking opening up to accommodate the extra airshow visitors, a significant increase in programme sales and brand new grandstand seating selling out in advance of the show.

A Super Saturday of flying saw bumper crowds, reaching similar record-breaking levels from 2015, as fans enjoyed displays from the likes of the RAF Red Arrows, The Tigers Army Parachute Display Team, Norwegian MiG-15, Strikemaster, Rolls-Royce Mustang, Fury, Jet Pitts and Firefly.

The Blades aerobatic display team of former Red Arrows pilots put on an astonishing display alongside the RAF Chinook, grabbing a spot in The Times newspaper this week, while the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight extended their display to fly the spitfire and Typhoon in tandem in an extra special performance for fans in Eastbourne.

‘Blackjack’ the RAF Typhoon and the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers also made national news over the weekend with some striking images on display in the national newspapers.

The world’s first certified electric aircraft, the Pipistrel Velis Electro – courtesy of OHM Energy – also made its debut on display at the Western Lawns, where visitors could find out more about local training opportunities in engineering.

In a moving performance, renowned pilot John Romain flew the ‘NHS Spitfire’ in support of NHS carers across the UK and in memory of Airbourne driver and friend of the show, Clive Lambert-Beeson, who passed away in 2021.  The display was sponsored by his wife Anne and friend Jayne Howard as a tribute to the popular airshow volunteer.

On Friday and Saturday evening, two Airbourne tribute shows at the Winter Garden provided by the Bandstand on Tour, brought some first class entertainment to sold-out audiences with the sounds of Abba and Queen.

The event was rounded off with a glittering firework finale to packed beaches, in a display sponsored by the Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Frontier Fireworks and Elite Medical.

Councillor Margaret Bannister, Lead Member for Tourism & Culture said “We’ve had an incredible four days here in Eastbourne with sunshine, crowds and some awesome flying displays – we’re so delighted to see so many visitors return after a two year absence, to support the show. 

Saturday was quite possibly one of our busiest days ever here in Eastbourne, with our robust overflow car parking plans quickly coming into effect to accommodate those additional visitors who were unable to travel by train!

The work now begins to collect and count in programmes sales and donation boxes from all of the outlets and retail partners across the town, before we can make any decisions on the future of the show.

Our thanks go to all of our sponsors, emergency services and volunteers who have so generously given up their time and resources to support the event. 

We also give grateful thanks to the Airbourne fans who have kindly donated to keep the show going.  If you haven’t had a chance to donate yet then you can still do so at SaveAirbourne.com, with 30% of the proceeds also supporting local charities.”

Bucket collections at the show were managed by the Rotary Clubs of Eastbourne, Sovereign Harbour and Hailsham, with 30% of all donations split between three local charities – Eastbourne & District Samaritans, Children With Cancer Fund and the RNLI.

Eastbourne Airbourne is sponsored by lead sponsor Posturite, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Your Eastbourne BID, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, Boundless CSMA, Birchwood Ford, Caffyns, Elite Medical, Environment First, Euro Selfdrive, Frontier Fireworks, Gemini Print, OHM Energy, Signtek, Stagecoach and W. Bruford.

There is still time to donate or order merchandise.  Visit EastbourneAirshow.com for more details.