Today’s Eastbourne Herald reports that Airbourne, Eastbourne International Airshow will return in 2022. However, from 2023 it must run at no cost to the local taxpayer due to financial situation Eastbourne & Lewes Borough Council finds itself in.
The Eastbourne International Airshow will return in 2022 over the weekend of Thursday 18th- Sunday 21st August. However, Eastbourne & Lewes Borough Council are looking for more financial support from local businesses and visitors if the show continues into 2023 and beyond.
Councillor Margaret Bannister told the Herald, “This really is the final boarding call for Airbourne. Rising costs of insurance and security over the years have increased the financial vulnerability of the show to such an extent, that unless we can increase visitor donations and financial support from our local businesses, then we really do need to retire our biggest event of the year.
Covid-19 has had such a devastating effect upon the council’s finances, that we can no longer support events financially, unless they can support themselves.
Airbourne has such a positive impact upon the town’s economy, with hundreds of thousands of visitors over the four days, many of whom stay overnight, so we are asking those who enjoy visiting the show and the many businesses who benefit from tourism in Eastbourne to please dig deep and help Airbourne take flight in future years.”
The financial support for the event will come in a number of ways from advertising, sponsorship packages & corporate hospitality for businesses and visitors able to contribute through exclusive seating and a membership scheme. For more information, please visit https://www.visiteastbourne.com/airshow/support
