Final call for funding to rescue Jersey Air Display

Friday 04 August 2023

The organiser of the Jersey International Air Display has made a final plea for £5,000 pledges, saying they are “very close” to raising enough money for the event to go ahead.

Mike Higgins said he would make a decision tomorrow (Saturday 5 August) as to whether the event can take place.

The air display is scheduled to take place on Thursday 14 September. Some of the participants booked include the Red Arrows, the RAF Falcon Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Patrouille de France Display Team and a French Air Force A400 Atlas.

But last week, organisers revealed that they still needed £75,000 in funding for the event to go ahead.

Pictured: The air display often attracts thousands of islanders and visitors to the free event.

Traditionally, the free display has been supported by an annual grant which the Government gives to Ports of Jersey, which in turn passes on the full amount to the display organiser. In 2021, the grant was up to £100,000.

However, in March, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel announced that he would like to shake up the way taxpayers fund the event.

This was against a backdrop of concerns about the environmental impact of displays, a fall in the number of static aircraft on show in Jersey, and a desire to inject more “new technologies and opportunities” which might include air races and drone displays, he explained at the time.

Today, Mr Higgins said he was “very encouraged by the results of the appeal to date”, adding: “We are very close to raising the required level of funds we need to save this year’s event”.

Meanwhile, organisers of the Guernsey Air Display have confirmed that their event will still be going ahead, despite turbulence in their sister island.

WANT TO SUPPORT?

Mr Higgins is asking for companies and individuals to pledge £5,000 to the air display to contact him at m.r.higgins@live.com.

Pictured - top: Jersey International Air Display 2022. (Jon Guegan)