The UK’s last remaining four-day seafront air display, Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow, will return in 2025 over the weekend of 14th-17th August.
Eastbourne Borough Council have confirmed that Airbourne will return in 2025 on its traditional mid-August dates 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.. Following the final council-run Bournemouth Air Festival which was held last August, Eastbourne is now the final major four-day seafront airshow in the UK.
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.”
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.
Online donations for the 2025 show are now open, please consider making a donation or becoming one of the monthly Airbourne Ambassadors to keep Airbourne flying for 2025 and beyond. You can donate HERE.
For further information on Airbourne and to become an insider – please visit: https://www.visiteastbourne.com/airshow/
