LUQA | The Malta Airshow, slated for September 2020, has been scrapped after Malta Airport declined to provide sufficient parking space for participating aircraft.

Yesterday the Malta Aviation Society announced that it had “worked hard” with the Ministry of Tourism to organise the show, but “it has now ceased all preparations for the event”. In a statement, the society said they had requested the use of two aprons at Malta’s only airport, in Luqa, but that this was declined by Malta International Airport PLC, who said the aprons formed a core part of their operations.

The Malta Aviation Society say they have gathered information about the airport over several days which indicates the two ramp areas are seldom used.

The Malta Airshow has had a troubled past, last being held in 2017 over the sea near Smart City, after the government of Malta forced the show away from the airport, where it had been held since 1993.

The airshow organisers say that a lack of support from the island’s government is “precluding Malta from having its own proper airshow like every other European country.”

BOURNEMOUTH | The Blades aerobatic team could be flying the GameBird GB1 next year, as guest commentator Arthur Williams announced they are set to upgrade to a new aircraft.

Photo: James Connolly

TV presenter Mr Williams said at the Bournemouth Air Festival: “It’s the last year that we’ll be working with the Extra, as we’ll be getting a nice, shiny new aeroplane as of next year.”

Although he did not mention which aircraft will replace the Extra 300, Flying Magazine has reported that the team are planning to upgrade to the GameBird GB1. The UK-designed GB1 has double the range of the Extra 300LP, allowing the team to display further afield and in more remote locations at a lower cost, according to the Royal Aeronautical Society.

The Blades, part of 2Excel Aviation have flown the Extra 300LP since they were formed in 2006, which they use both in aerobatic displays and for passenger flights. Since 2018, they have also operated a modified single-seat Edge 540 V2.

DALTON BARRACKS | Organisers of the Abingdon Air & Country Show have re-instated the event’s flying displays, just months after they decided to scrap them.

This year’s show, held on the 5th May, was intended to be the last with a full flying display, due to increasing costs and tightening safety regulations. However, at the first board meeting to discuss the 2020 show, main organiser Niel Porter announced a “major re-think”, leaing to a “reversal” of the decision.

The re-instated flying display will mainly feature helicopters, which will allow the aerobatic box to fit within the confines of the airfield, meaning fewer road closures will be required. However, organisers added: “There is potential also for the odd other non-helicopter type to display but flypasts will also feature.”

It is hoped that the Air & Country Show will become one of the UK’s biggest “Helimeets”, with all three of the UK’s armed services requested to take part, as well as civilian operators. Some foreign air arms have also been invited.

Because the flying display has been re-instated, the event will remain on the eastern side of the airfield, rather than moving to the west as previously suggested.

In a sample schedule, organisers suggested that the flying display may be seperated into two slots in the afternoon, one of around an hour in duration and one of around half an hour. While this is smaller than previous offerings, the Country Fair is to be expanded, with vintage vehicles and traders. In previous announcements, the organisers also said the fly-in could more than double in size, and that pleasure flights would be offered in helicopters and warbirds.

The next Abingdon Air & Country Show will take place on Sunday 17th May 2020, with ticket prices expected to be the same as in 2019. The photographers’ nightshoot will also return on Saturday 16th May.

TORQUAY | The Torbay Airshow will get a new lease of life after its continuation was threatened last winter.

Councillors have agreed to pay £25,000 towards an airshow in 2020, scheduled for the 6th-7th June. This is far short of the £90,000 grant given to show organisers in 2018 – but funding was abruptly cancelled in November last year due to spending cuts. After fears of cancellation, sponsorship deals and donations ensured the event could go ahead again in 2019.

Next year’s show is expected to be re-branded the English Riviera Airshow to reflect the event’s major sponsor, the English Riviera Business Improvement District, who promote tourism in the area. They paid £10,000 towards the cost of the 2019 event, and Devon Live report that they are negotiating a further deal for the 2020 show.

The Torbay Airshow began in 2016 and is estimated to be worth £7 million to the local economy. It costs a total of £200,000 to stage each year.

Wildcat Aerobatics have cancelled the remainder of their display season due to aircraft unservicablility, it was announced on Monday.

Photo: James Connolly

The Norfolk-based team of Al Coutts and Willie Cruickshank fly two Pitts Specials, and are a common sight at several UK airshows. They said: “It is with an overwhelming sense of sadness and disappointment that, due to a significant aircraft unserviceability issue, one of our Pitts Special aircraft is out of action for the foreseeable future.

LUQA | The Malta Aviation Society have announced that the popular Malta International Airshow may return in 2020 if talks with Malta’s Ministry of Tourism go well.

In a short statement, the show organisers said they were in “advanced talks” with the government department, with the aim of holding a show next year.

The island nation’s annual airshow began in 1993, but faced problems in 2016 when the flying display was forcibly moved from Luqa Airport to Smart City. The show was held again in 2017, but had to be cancelled the year after because organisers could get no reply from the Ministry of Tourism, whose support is vital. There were no plans to stage an airshow this year.

The Malta International Airshow is well known for attracting rare displays, with the last two editions featuring such rare acts as the Saudi Hawks, Turkish Stars, Ukrainian Su-27 Flanker and a pair of Polish Su-22 Fitters. The Red Arrows and Frecce Tricolori jetted in for the 2015 event, while in 2011, the airshow enjoyed a rare coup when a pair of defecting Mirage F.1ED fighters from the Libyan Air Force appeared on static display.