Sunderland International Airshow expects 300,000 strong crowd

Jul 25 2009 by Rob Pattinson, The Journal

SPECTATORS will be turning their eyes skywards this weekend for Sunderland’s 21st International Airshow.

A crowd of up to 300,000 is expected to be wowed by the aerial feats along the city’s seafront as planes jet into action today and tomorrow.

Festivities for the event got underway last night with performances from the Cirque Bijou, and popular 80s band ABC before a Dutch F-16 fighter jet seared the dusk sky with its afterburners.

The daring of more pilots, in some of the most celebrated aircraft in the world, is set to take centre stage once again from this morning.

Organisers have promised another breathtaking line-up including the world’s most advanced fighter aircraft the Typhoon, or Eurofighter, while crowd favourites the Red Arrows will blaze across the skies at midday, on both days.

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s traditional fly-past will see a Spitfire, Hurricane, and Dakota take to the skies once more, while one of the World’s last remaining operational Vulcan Bombers will appear today only.

The two days of jaw-dropping feats of bravery and technology is aiming to make up for the disappointment of last year’s show when the crowd was left with just the sound of roaring jet engines as mist rolled in from the sea and obscured the view.

Councillor Denny Wilson, Safe City Portfolio Holder, said: “We are delighted to have attracted some new aircraft which will join established crowd favourites. I’m really looking forward to seeing the Vulcan Bomber make its first appearance at the event. As always there will be something for everyone both in the air and on the ground and we look forward to welcoming visitors to the city from across the region and beyond.”

Among other highlights at the airborne spectacular will include Merlin, Sea King and Chinook helicopters. While the team displaying their impressive aerobatic mastery will include The Blades, the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, and the Swift Glider team, making their debut at the show.

On the ground, the arena programme will include Sunderland’s adopted regiment, the 4th Field Regiment Light Gun Display, the Royal Marines Combat Display Team and The Band of HM Royal Marines Scotland.

Newcastle International Airport was making final preparations yesterday to welcome the aircraft and crew to the site where they will be based for the show.

Over the course of the weekend Newcastle’s air traffic controllers will handle around 280 commercial take-offs and landings, as well as an additional 100 flight movements for the Airshow.

Commercial airlines, including Thomson, Thomas Cook, British Airways and easyJet will all be sharing the runway with military aircraft including F-16s.

Keith Rodgers, senior air traffic controller at Newcastle International said: “Being on shift during the Sunderland International Airshow really is one of the highlights of my working year. Obviously we have the extra aircraft movements to contend with over the busy summer weekend, but we’re geared up to make sure everyone takes off on time – whether they’re heading to Spain, Santorini or Sunderland.”

Police have also been making final preparations to handle the large crowds expected for the event and issued a reminder alcohol cannot be brought onto the site. Officers have advised spectators to walk and use public transport, or make use of the Park and Ride services operating from Downhill Community North Complex and Fulwell Quarry.

Superintendent Derek Scott of Sunderland Area Command said: “We want everyone to enjoy themselves and visitors should follow some simple advice.

“Make sure items like phones or wallets are kept secure to deter any opportunist thieves.”