‘Found its home in Australia’ Pacific Airshow is here to stay, says director

While it may have started in America, Pacific Airshow boss says it has found its home on the Gold Coast and will continue to grow ‘bigger and better’. Read what he said.

With only one day to go until the Pacific Airshow, director Kevin Elliott has revealed there’ll be a surprise addition to its aviation all-star line-up.

Mr Elliott said two US military veterans would join the crowds on Surfers Paradise Beach on Sunday to mark Vietnam Veterans’ day.

“We’ll also take a moment this year to honour our Vietnam Veterans’ Day and acknowledge their service and sacrifice,” he said.

“We will have an incredible veteran aviator with us this year, we’ll have 100-year-old WWII veteran Monica Witts.”

Kevin Elliott, Emma McDonald, Jeff Boerboon and Aarron Deliu at Skypoint in the week leading up to 2024 Gold Coast Pacific Airshow. Picture: Sarran Franks

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said they were “absolutely delighted” the city was hosting the second annual instalment of the hugely successful show.

“We know that last year the city took a little bit of a risk to bring an iconic and new event to the Gold Coast and the Pacific Airshow brought almost 250,000 people to the Gold Coast from across the world,” he said.

“The economic impact was almost $25 million and, for the City of Gold Coast, we are very proud.

“Pacific Airshow is now one of our iconic events in our very important annual calendar.”

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn speaking at Future Gold Coast

Gold Coast Airport CEO Amelia Evans said they were expecting crowds of interstate travellers to pass through the airport in coming days, bound specifically for the show.

“We’re actually expecting around 65,000 passengers through our airport this weekend — that’s a significant boost, not just for the airport, but for the city itself,” she said.

“It’s events like this that make the city absolutely awesome and so really great to see this event come back.

“It was great last year for the city to take this jump into the Pacific Airshow event … it’s hard for a city like the Gold Coast, we’re not a major airport and a major city, to host big events, but now it is locked.

“The appetite is there and people are excited about what we can do, so congratulations for coming back, congratulations for making it a success, and thank you for your confidence in the Gold Coast.”

Queensland Airports Limited CEO Amelia Evans is responsible for setting the group’s strategic direction. Picture: TSV Airport.

Mr Elliott said after an incredible debut last year, this weekend’s event would be “bigger and better”.

“Our team has worked tirelessly all year to build on the experience, not only in the air, but on the ground,” he said.

Mr Elliott said Pacific Airshow has found its home on the Gold Coast and he was looking forward to continue building the event.

“While we may have started this event in the USA, there’s no doubt that it’s found its home here in Australia,” he said.

“This is now an event for Australians and for international visitors to discover all the joys and qualities of life here on the Gold Coast and, frankly, Australia as a whole.

“It’s been a great adventure for my family and for dozens of our fellow Americans who are now absolutely in love with this country and we call our second home.”

Originally published as ‘Found its home in Australia’ Pacific Airshow is here to stay, says director