Swansea Council has confirmed that one of its flagship annual events, the Wales Airshow, will be back next year.
The biggest free event in Wales, which has one of the most spectacular backdrops of any UK Airshow and which attracts audiences from across the UK, will return on Saturday and Sunday July 3 and 4, 2021.
Despite this year’s event not taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the council’s cultural services marketing and events teams staged a digital celebration last Saturday (note: July 4) on Facebook.
The day featured question and answer sessions from the pilots including Red Arrow Squadron Leader Steve Morris, the team leader parachutist from the Tigers Army Parachute Display Team and a display crewman and engineer from the RAF Chinook Display Team.
There was unseen footage from The Red Arrows over Swansea Bay, highlights of The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF tutor, Team Raven and AutoGyro and MiG 15. There was also a focus on the show’s traditional military ground displays.
There were more than 85,000 video views, with the Red Arrows Q&A alone having 10,000 views.
Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We were overwhelmed by the number of people who watched the digital celebration event. It showed the support people have for the Wales Airshow.
“I thank all of our sponsors and others for getting involved.
“We were disappointed that the airshow couldn’t take place as planned this year but we’re delighted to be able to announce that it’ll be back next year.
“The events industry is in crisis as it was one of the first industries to close and will be one of the last to re-open.
“We want to get events back up and running in Swansea – for the public and to support all those involved in the industry – as soon as government guidance confirms that it’s safe to do so.”
For those who were unable to watch on Saturday or would like to watch again, this footage is now available on the Wales Airshow website – www.walesnationalairshow.com.
