CAUSEWAY INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW 2022
A brand new event for the 2022 airshow season the Causeway International Airshow is due to take place on the 10th and 11th of September 2022 and will mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
The new airshow will be organised once every 2 years and will be the continuation of the popular Airwaves Portrush event which attracted 200,000 spectators each year. The Airwaves Portrush was called off in February 2020 due to having its funding withdrawn as Council struggled with at the time, debts of £68.7m.
Besides the different name, the all-new Causeway International Airshow will be held at a new location between Portrush and Portstewart which will allow the aircraft to fly closer to the spectators.
Invitations have been sent to a number of militaries and private operators from 5 different European countries. Although there have been no confirmations the Causeway International Airshow is shaping up to be the biggest airshow on the island of Ireland with both air displays and ground activities.
The invitations have been sent to the Swiss Air Force with the request for the PC-7 Team as well as the Irish Air Corps and the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight requesting the Viggen, Draken, Lansen and possibly one more jet. The RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon, Chinook and the Royal Navy Black Cats have also been invited. A number of classic jets and WWII Warbirds are also due to appear at the show with invitations sent to the RAF BBMF the Ultimate fighter’s team as well as other operators both from the UK and abroad. On top of that, there will be solo aerobatic displays as well as an S&R demo and formation aerobatic displays by teams from the UK and abroad.
According to the article by the Causeway Coast Community;
A ground activity programme is also under consideration consisting of the following :
• Artisan Market. • Soft Play / Amusements. • Viewing Areas / Picnic Tables. • Army and Sea Cadets Demonstrations. • Emergency Services / Event Control. • Food Trading. • Motorhome Parking. • Park and Ride. • VIP / STEM. • RAF / Navy. • Military Stalls. • Aviation Heritage Display. • Ulster Military Vehicle Display. • Royal British Legion. • Cool FM / Media Centre. • Ulster Gliding Club. • Staging Units / Entertainment. • Trade and Sponsorship Opportunities.
The Council ground programme will focus around 7 dedicated viewing locations, where the ‘hubs’ of entertainment and programming will be based:
• Portrush Ampitheatre / Kerr Street Green (Animation Hub). • Black Hill - Viewing Area. • Ballyreagh Main Event Site -No.2. • Juniper Hill - Event Space and Viewing Area. • Rinagree - Event Space and Viewing Area. • The Pitt’s - Main Event Site No.1. • Portstewart - The Crescent Entertainment Hub.
