Airshow could be set for return

Airshow could be set for return

6 November 2024

NEWCASTLE’S international Festival of Flight could potentially take to the air next summer.

Talks are to take place soon to discuss the return of the flagship tourism event which was last held in 2019.

A number of local politicians hope the festival — traditionally headlined by the Red Arrows aerobatic display team — will be one of the major highlights in Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s tourism events programme.

Set against the stunning back of the Mourne Mountains and Dundrum Bay, the air show was far and away the district’s biggest tourism event, generating a soaring spend in excess of £1m.

A call for a working party to be set up to discuss the return of the international event was made at the council’s annual rates meeting in February but the issue wasn’t progressed.

But that is all set to change with the local authority agreeing last week to hold talks about the festival’s potential return.

The availability of the Red Arrows, event sponsorship and costs will be key considerations and other organisations will be asked for their input in the deliberations.

The Ulster Aviation Society, an ardent supporter of the event which attracted in the region of 100,000 visitors to the resort, is also keen to see the festival’s return.

The Recorder understands the Festival of Flight could be held biennially to maximise its impact with potential talks taking place with Causeway Coast and Glens Council.

The north west council hosts the Northern Ireland International Air Show in Portrush every summer, with some local councillors suggesting holding just one major air show in Northern Ireland each year and alternating the venue between Newcastle and Portrush to maximise the event’s potential.

The last Festival of Flight was held just months before the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then Newcastle has hosted two highly successful Eats and Beats festivals.

Councillors believe both events could run in tandem to create a major tourism weekend event unrivalled anywhere in Ireland, while some have described the return of the Festival of Flight as a “no brainer” and hope it will be a case of chocks away next summer.

Rowallane  DUP councillor Jonny Jackson and Downpatrick SDLP Gareth Sharvin are keen to see the air show’s return.

“It would be great to see the return of the Festival of Flight next summer,” said Cllr Jackson. 

“I have no doubt the Newcastle business community would be keen to see it coming back and it could take place in tandem with the Eats and Beats Festival.”

Cllr Jackson said businesses in the resort should also be asked for their feedback on the air show’s return.

“The Festival of Flight is a major success story, but has been grounded in the psst by bad weather and Covid. It will be six years in 2025 since it was last held and if it goes ahead what a boost it will provide for Newcastle and the wider district,” he said.

“Costs will obviously be a major determining factor if it goes ahead but let’s get round the table to discuss all the detail and I hope the outcome will be positive.”

Cllr Jackson confirmed he has spoken to senior council officials about the return of the festival which many people across the district, Northern Ireland and further afield are keen to see return.

He added: “The festival is a magnificent spectacle and major income generator for Newcastle and the district’s wider tourism economy.”

Cllr Sharvin said the SDLP was fully supportive of the return of the Festival of Flight and highlighted the need for the local council to link up with Causeway Coast and Glens Council and see if it would consider hosting its event biennially.

“This would maximise the value of both events,” he said.

“Overall, we are very supportive of the Festival of Flight and it would be fantastic to have the Red Arrows overhead during the Eats and Beats Festival to create a great atmosphere but we need to ensure the event’s return is maximised and local businesses benefit.”

Cllr Sharvin said this year Eats and Beats generated just over £500,000 for the local economy and attracted 22,000 people.

“Moving forward we need to look at costs and external sponsorship to make the Festival of Flight viable. We are very supportive of it but it needs to be in co-operation with the successful Eats and Beats event,” he added.