Pacific Airshow Gold Coast forced to cancel 2025 event
Mayor Tom Tate has revealed fresh details about why the Pacific Airshow had to be called off. READ WHAT HE SAID
Gold Coast
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The Pacific Airshow was cancelled because council took a safety first approach and put a priority on replenishing sand on all beaches and not just Surfers Paradise, it can be revealed.
Mayor Tom Tate has provided an insight into the critical call made last week to call off the airshow, which was due to take place in August.
“Part of that decision is this – I could have got the (sand pumping) dredge to concentrate on just Surfers Paradise and get the Airshow and have it happen,” he said.
“But what happens there, then you are neglecting some places where our beaches are vulnerable – the northern part of Surfers.
“What I say to our engineers (is), we’ve got to protect all our beaches, especially the vulnerable points. Narrowneck is one of which where we have got to build the sand up there.
“If mother nature comes with another (Cyclone) Oswald to Narrowneck now, it could potentially break through. The right decision is safety first. I can’t neglect our weakest point.”
The City had a compromise plan including multiple locations, not just Surfers beach, to view the Airshow.
“Even when we get all the sand back in Surfers Paradise, I still think we will have these additional locations in place,” Mr Tate said.
“I think it’s going to grow. More than one location is good. If you have a family with young kids and that, you don’t want a huge crowd with you.”
Council is confident of organising an extended contract after talking to show backers.
“If you skip a year, tag it onto our contract, so we don’t lose out on the income. Let us know about your hard cost, so you don’t lose,” Mr Tate said.
“I would believe that the fans of the Airshow would understand the decision was made to make sure it was safe for other beaches and property, it was the right decision to make.”
TICKETHOLDERS CONTACTED AS AIRSHOW CALLED OFF
The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2025 has been sensationally called off - with organisers citing impacted beaches - and promising refunds for ticketholders.
Experience Gold Coast and Code Four CEO and airshow director Kevin Elliott revealed the decision on Friday morning due to ongoing beach erosion.
An airshow statement said since ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred removed four million cubic metres of sand from Gold Coast beaches, the City of Gold Coast and Pacific Airshow team had been in regular communication about beach rectification efforts.
But recurring king tides and large swells had crippled repair efforts, particularly along the Surfers Paradise foreshore where the event is held, the statement said.
Mr Elliott said the team was devastated, but the cancellation was the right thing for the long-term restoration of the beach.
“The Pacific Airshow team are Gold Coast based and are committed to delivering an
extraordinary experience. People come to be entertained, have the ultimate party on the beach,
see amazing aircraft and spend time with family and friends, all with their feet in the sand,” he said.
“Big surf, high tides and unusually persistent rainfall since the cyclone have created a perfect
storm of events that has been detrimental to recovery efforts.”
He added on pre-purchased tickets: “For all patrons who purchased a ticket to the 2025 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, thank you for your support; you will receive an email today with options regarding your ticket purchase including the option for a full refund.”
Mr Elliott said it had been “one step forward, two steps back” with beach sand replenishment, despite the City putting every effort into returning the beach to pre-Alfred condition.
“Our extensive modelling shows in light of the recent erosion caused by the king tides and massive swell, the sand just won’t be there for a safe spectator experience at the scale Pacific Airshow requires,” Mr Elliott said.
Mr Elliott said “every option” including different dates and locations on the Gold Coast had been considered:
“We couldn’t find a way to keep our community safe without compromising the show either in the air or on the ground, and neither of those were acceptable outcomes for us.”
The number of tickets sold during this year’s pre-sale had more than doubled last year’s sales but Mr Elliott revealed the event would return for next year August 14 to 16.
‘Found its home in Australia’ Pacific Airshow is here to stay, says director
Mayor Tom Tate said while the decision to cancel this year’s event was tough, it was the “right decision”.
“Beach recovery works continue but we cannot guarantee this section of coastline will be ready to welcome 200,000-plus people in August,” the Mayor said.
“Through our partnership with Code Four and the State Government, we have created one of the biggest family-oriented events in Australia. The Airshow will be back in 2026 and I have no doubt the program will be worth the wait.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said: “While we share the Pacific Airshow team’s disappointment that the event won’t be able to go ahead in 2025, we are so excited the Airshow will return bigger and better in August 2026 and for many years to come.”
Originally published as Pacific Airshow Gold Coast forced to cancel 2025 event
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