AIRSHOW NEWS: Jersey Air Display launches fund raising appeal for 2024 event

The Jersey International Air Display is today announcing an appeal to the public to assist in its fund raising towards ensuring that the 2024 display can take place.

To date approximately half the funding has been secured (through the Government Grant and corporate sponsorship) but there is more to do.

The Jersey International Air Display is recognised as being one of the most entertaining and well run Air Displays in the United Kingdom. In 2013 it was awarded the Paul Bowen Trophy for the best European Air Display and is a long standing feature of the Jersey Tourism Calendar, being one of the biggest tourism events in the Island.

It is watched in person and online by over 50,000 people As the largest free event in the Island, the Air Display is funded by private sponsorship and a small government grant. This means that all families irrespective of their income can enjoy the flying display over St Aubin’s Bay and activities on the Lower Park together. Although the event has been diminished in recent years due to the restrictions that followed the COVID outbreak and required in the post pandemic recovery phase and by a shortfall of funding in this period, it is intended to ultimately return to its 2013 standard with enhanced static displays, and potentially STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) areas that complement the display.

Event organiser Mike Higgins said : “We very much welcome the support of the Government of Jersey and of Ports of Jersey, however we need the help of the public. In 2023 and 2022 we received £60,000 from the Government. In previous years various amounts up to £100,000 were received as a grant. However this year, due to budgetary restrictions the annual grant has been limited to £40,000 and sadly costs have not gone down and in fact have increased substantially.”

This year we have established a fully functional crowd funding page (Link : https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/appeal-for-12-september-2024/jersey-international-air-display ) and would be extremely grateful for any support that people can give.

If £5 was donated for every person who watched the display in the bay alone last year, not only would that fund the 2024 display, it would also start to put us on a more sustainable footing for future displays, which is our ultimate objective.

The Jersey International Air Display is part of the DNA of our Island Community. Not only is it a significant event in the Island’s calendar for local and visitors alike, but with its origins in the previous Battle of Britain Air Display it also remains a poignant reminder of the reasons behind our Liberation, and our Liberty. It also remains a significant day for relevant charities to raise funds to care for our military veterans.

Already confirmed for JIAD 2024 are: