Airbourne To Return in 2025

After Cost Neutral Year

Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow will return in 2025 after meeting its cost neutral target this year.

The free four-day show will return from 14 – 17 August 2025 after donations, commercial sales and a number of new initiatives helped to bring the event in on track, covering all running costs relating to the show, for the third year running.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the annual event hit its funding target thanks to new initiatives including new seating areas and a family friendly dining enclosure.

Further consideration has been given to ways in which the full Eastbourne events programme can run on a cost neutral basis moving forwards, securing the future of the airshow in 2025 as well as other much-loved events, with responses to a range of proposals currently being considered now the recent Eastbourne Borough Council public consultation period has ended.

The annual airshow provides a huge boost to the local, regional and national economy, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the town, raising its profile and supporting the British staycation. However, the cost of the flying displays and the temporary infrastructure requires financial support from businesses and airshow visitors to offset costs each year.

Councillor Margaret Bannister, Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure, Accessibility and Community Safety, said, “Our thanks go to all those who have donated, sponsored, volunteered or financially supported the show this year. Airbourne really is only possible with your help.

“However, for 2025 we are once again starting from scratch. We really do need sponsorship commitment now to help get Airbourne 2025 off the ground – with enough support early on we can start securing some exciting flying displays and attractions to keep the show flying high.”

Councillor Stephen Holt, Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council, said, “I’m delighted that Airbourne can go ahead next year. It is a very popular and important event in our events calendar.

“This decision has been made following confirmation that the event has remained cost neutral, and the team is continuing to develop plans to ensure that the event remains financially viable."

In addition to meeting its cost neutral target, Airbourne also met its carbon reduction pledge, offsetting emissions where reduction isn’t possible.

Councillor Jim Murray, Cabinet Member for Carbon Neutral 2030, said, “In 2023 and 2024 we teamed up with Eastbourne Eco Action Network CIC to support the Eastbourne United Nations Association’s carbon offsetting scheme in Uganda.

“Our involvement in the project resulted in 14,000 trees being planted last year and with a similar number being planted in 2024, great strides are being made in achieving a carbon neutral Airbourne.”

Hospitality, seating, car parking and programmes will be on sale soon however, fans can support the show now with a one-off donation or a monthly pledge from as little as £2 a month at www.SaveAirbourne.com, with all proceeds supporting the show.

Organisers are also calling on fans to vote for Airbourne in the Airscene awards ‘Best Free Airshow’ category at https://www.airscene.co.uk/Airscene-Awards-2024.php.

This year’s Airbourne was supported by Silver Event Sponsor: Birchwood - providing net zero emissions pilot and logistic vehicles, along with sponsors Brufords, Caffyns, Cloud Connx, Cumberland Hotel, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Elite Medical, Environment First, Euro Self Drive, Frontier Fireworks, Lansdowne Hotel, More Radio, Neighbourhood First, OHM Energy, PRG Marketing Communications Ltd, Pureprint Group Ltd, Signtek, Stagecoach, The View Hotel and Your Eastbourne BID.

Airbourne charity nominations will open early in the new year. To chat to the team about trade space, sponsorship and advertising opportunities email EastbourneEvents@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk.

To be the first to hear about all Airbourne news, join the Airbourne Insider for free at www.EastbourneAirshow.com/insider.