to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Busy Crowds Support Airbourne Over the Weekend
18th August 2026
Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow enjoyed a packed four-day flying schedule last week with busy crowds over the weekend.
The event experienced particularly high footfall on Saturday and Sunday despite a number of challenging factors, including the Red Arrows grounding in Canada, high temperatures, train disruption and a severe alert from the UK government leading to the cancellation of the Sunday evening fireworks.
Spectators were treated to a number of new displays this year including Europe’s only flying MiG-17, the Red Devils Army Parachute Display Team, Mustang ‘Marinell’, the ‘Spirit of Kent’ Spitfire, Navy Wings Wasp, Firebirds and the Conair Turbo Firecat, which provided a water drop display.
The B-17 ‘Sally B’ Flying Fortress made a long-awaited return to Eastbourne while the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Royal Navy Black Cats, Tutor and roaring Typhoon provided military displays. The Starlings, Stampe Formation Team, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers and Rich Goodwin Jet Pitts – the world’s first jet-powered biplane – also entertained crowds with some superb aerobatics.
Despite extensive rail travel disruption, pre-bookable and overflow car parking were in place to reduce pressures on public transport, with all income from the official Airbourne car parks supporting the cost of the show. In addition, following the fireworks cancellation, an Elvis tribute show was added to the Bandstand programme for Sunday evening to entertain visitors staying overnight in Eastbourne.
Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Place, Cllr Jenny Williams said, “What an incredible four days of flying displays! Thank you to everyone who travelled to Eastbourne, despite the unprecedented combination of the heatwave and public transport disruption, it was a brilliant atmosphere and we hope you enjoyed it.
“Footfall was particularly high on Saturday and Sunday, and it was thanks to the exceptional planning, co-ordination and supportive working arrangements between the Council and a multitude of agencies that we were able to respond quickly to these events and keep Airbourne flying safely.
“Thank you also to the public for taking on board our heatwave and general safety advice – this helped to keep incidents to a minimum and ensured a safe show.
“We hope you enjoyed this year’s Airbourne – however it doesn’t end there. There is still lots of incredible footage to see on our social media, plus discount vouchers to spend from the souvenir programme through to Christmas. If you enjoyed the show, I would urge you to donate online so it can continue in the future – it is only with your support that Airbourne can return in 2027.”
Supporters can donate online at SaveAirbourne.com or join as an Ambassador with a monthly pledge from just £2.
Souvenir programmes are also still on sale offering discounts of up to 25% at attractions, restaurants and spa treatments, plus free day passes at Hillbrow Health & Wellbeing and £10 off a £50 spend at Brewers. All proceeds support the cost of the flying displays at the show.
Airbourne took place from 13 – 16 August 2026 and is supported by gold sponsor Horder Healthcare and silver sponsors The Lansdowne and The View Hotel, plus: Bella & Duke, Birchwood Chery Hastings, Brufords, Caffyns, Cloud Connx, Eastbourne Hospitality Association, Eastbourne News, Elite Medical, Environment First, Euro Self Drive, Full Range Fitness, Kent Surrey Sussex Air Ambulance, Metrobus, More Radio, Neighbourhood First, NTB Outdoors, PRG Marketing Communications, Pureprint Group, Recorra, Stagecoach, Trafalgar Theatres, Visit Eastbourne, Your Eastbourne BID and Zephyr Tech.
Also supporting the show is Caffyns VW – the Eastbourne Airshow Official Pilot Transfer Sponsor dealership - providing net zero emissions pilot vehicles.
For more information or to make a donation, order a programme, or join as an Ambassador visit www.EastbourneAirshow.com.
