DALTON BARRACKS | The organisers of the Abingdon Air & Country Show are dropping the flying display from future events, according to a statement released today.

Citing a combination of increasing costs, tightened regulations and new insurance rules, Neil Porter has confirmed the event will not feature a flying display next year to help “keep the show on the rails”.

He said: “To preserve the show and keep it running for the next ten years or more for the community, I am just eradicating the flying displays to cut the costs associated with that by half.”

The 20th Abingdon Air & Country Show took place on Sunday 5th May, with the flying display featuring types such as the RAF Tucano, P-47D Thunderbolt and Beech 18. Around 50 aircraft participated in a fly-in and static display.

However, the event was dogged by new regulations which came into force in February, forcing all display aircraft to upgrade their insurance cover to £50 million – an unattainable figure for some acts.

The show’s new format will see the event move back to the western side of the runway and re-instate popular features such as tank rides. The organisers are also promising to keep the aviation side of the show alive by doubling or tripling the number of aircraft participating in the fly-in. This will include classic aircraft and modern military planes.

There will also be pleasure flights – including backseat rides in warbirds – and other attractions such as hot air balloons, flypasts and possibly a helicopter show.

“So, thank you all for the last 20 years, and here is to the next 10 years or more in a new more affordable format,” said Mr Porter.

Devon’s two major seafront airshows have published their flying display lineups for 2019 just days after their RAF display allocations were revealed.

The Torbay Airshow, one of the first major airshows of the season, confirmed that it will host the Typhoon FGR.4, Tucano T.1, Chinook HC.6, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows from the Royal Air Force, with the latter team making their 2019 debut at the show. The Tucano T.1 will be performing at Torbay for the first time – and likely also the final time, with the type due to retire from RAF service later this year.

Additionally, the Torbay Airshow will include the Royal Navy Black Cats, the Tigers parachute team and a quartet of civilian acts: the BAC Strikemaster, Pitts Special, the FireFlies Display Team and The Blades will all be taking to the sky on the 1st-2nd June.

The Blades will also be performing at the brand new airshow at Teignmouth on the 6th July. They will be joined by a Yakovlev Yak-3 and a Pitts Special. The Royal Air Force will contribute a Spitfire from the BBMF and a Typhoon FGR.4.

Unfortunately, the show organisers had to turn down the RAF Falcons parachute team as they were unable to provide a suitable landing area.

The airshow organisers have promised to increase their lineup if funding allows.

SWANSEA | The Wales Airshow in Swansea will feature a dusk air display for the first time as the city celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Organisers announced today that the first day of the show – Saturday 6th July – will feature an ‘Airshow After Dark’ and concert, starting at 20:30 after the main afternoon aerial display.

Confirmed for the show are the two-ship Fireflies team, flying two Vans RV-4s, and the Tigers parachute team of the British Army. Both displays will use pyrotechnics. There will also be a hot air balloon night glow from balloons tethered along the length of the beach.

Visitors will also enjoy a concert featuring music from 1969.

Swansea celebrates its 50th anniversary on the 3rd July, just a few days before the Wales Airshow. The event is Wales’ largest airshow, regularly attracting over 200,000 spectators, and will be the only show in Wales hosting the Red Arrows and dusk display acts this year.