Airbourne Draws Record Crowds For Best Eastbourne Airshow Yet

(c) Claire Hartley, Crown Copyright, Shane Barrow

Eastbourne’s International Airshow, Airbourne, has been hailed as the best in its 31-year history after four days of sunshine and spectacular flying displays brought bumper crowds to the seafront.

The UK’s biggest free airshow attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors from Thursday through Sunday (August 14-17), with many commercial sales — including grandstand seating, corporate hospitality and premium parking — selling out.

Organisers say all income directly supports the running of the event.

The show also provided a major boost to the local economy, generating millions in visitor spending, raising Eastbourne’s profile nationally, and supporting the wider staycation market.

Cllr Jenny Williams, Eastbourne Borough Council’s Lead Member for Tourism & Place, said:

“Stunning weather – superb displays – this has been the best Airbourne yet!

"We had an exceptionally strong start on Thursday and it continued, with the seafront getting busier every day.

"Our thanks go to our brilliant sponsors, partners and the many volunteers who help to make Airbourne such a success, from military personnel to the emergency services and charities.

"There are hundreds of people working incredibly hard behind the scenes to deliver an astonishing show.

"We also thank everyone who donated – every pound helps to fund the flying displays and the more we raise, the better the flying line-up for you.”

This year’s programme featured the Red Arrows — the only UK airshow to host four displays from the team — alongside a ground visit from all nine pilots on Saturday.

Other highlights included the RAF Typhoon, Norwegian Vampire, Strikemaster, Jet Provost, Tutor, Rich Goodwin Pitts S2S, AeroSuperBatics Wingwalker, and the Royal Navy Black Cats.

The RAF’s largest military aircraft, the Atlas C1 (A400M), made its Eastbourne debut, co-piloted by Flt Lt Weaver, who first visited the show as a child.

Also new to Airbourne were the Stampe Formation Team and the Mustang P-51D ‘Moonbeam McSwine’, flying for the first time on UK shores since its acquisition from the United States.

On Friday, the showground paused at midday to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ-Day, with a bugler performing The Last Post, followed by a display from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and a Rolls-Royce Spitfire.

Airbourne 2025 was supported by a range of sponsors, including Trafalgar Theatres, Brufords, Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, Euro Self Drive, Stagecoach, More Radio, and Your Eastbourne BID, among others. Official Pilot Transfer Sponsor Caffyns also provided net-zero emission vehicles for pilots and logistics.

Organisers have reminded fans that the event depends on ongoing financial support.

Donations can still be made online, either as a one-off or through monthly pledges from £2. Supporters are also encouraged to vote for the show in the 2025 Airscene Awards at airscene.co.uk.

For more information, visit EastbourneAirshow.com