One of our biggest free shows will be back next year, after an enforced break. If the weekend weather is anything like the last event it will be a show like no other. No matter what however, thousands will turn out for one of our biggest Airshows on Swansea Bay.
In 2019 they smashed the attendance record, the weather was perfect and the organisers felt it was the best ever! With that in mind, and no event this year, we’re sure they’ll be looking to make 2022 even bigger, with even more exciting air display teams and entertainment.
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.
We are told however, that next year promises to be the biggest and best Wales Airshow ever on July 2nd and 3rd.
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.
“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.
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 3rd and Sunday 4th 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.
“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.”
To make up for the lack of show last year, the team put together an ‘AT HOME’ event in July. Showcasing the very best highlights and exclusive interviews from the various display teams who have attended and displayed over Swansea Bay including The Chinook, The Tutor, Battle of Britain, Tigers as well as the magnificent Red Arrows. It’s worth taking a look at their page to see what they did, it was really good. SHOW
In the meantime we don’t need any excuse to look back at what was a brilliant 2019 summer, especially at the moment, so let’s relieve last year’s event.
Breathtaking aerobatic displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes from the past thrilled tens of thousands of visitors in Swansea Bay once again.
Looking back at the last event, Robert Francis-Davies 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.”
“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 and 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 last year will return to Swansea Bay again soon. We are already looking forward giving more people even more reasons to visit.”
We realise this is all from 2019 but if you missed the whole weekend, or indeed you were there and just want to look back, this is the place to do it. Also, it gives us a feel for what we can expect next year.
Saturday 6 July (2019)
10.00am – 6.00pm Ground displays
12.40pm – 5.00pm Air displays
Airshow After Dark – Saturday 6 July (2019)
8.30pm – 10.30pm
Sunday 7 July (2019)
10.00am – 6.00pm Ground displays
11.30am – 4.00pm Air displays