Pacific Airshow back for 2024 with tickets, dates and pricing revealed after bombshell 2023 success
The huge success of the first Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is being followed by a “bigger and better” 2024 instalment.
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Organisers of the hugely successful Pacific Airshow are building on the enormous success of its Gold Coast debut, with a bigger and better line up in the air and on the ground.
Pacific Airshow director Kevin Elliott is promising “more of everything” after last year’s show injected $25 million into the Gold Coast economy and attracted 250,000 ticketholders through the gates across three days on the Surfers Paradise beachfront.
“Based on the success of the 2023 inaugural event we’ll be bringing more of everything including an expanded event footprint here on the beach to accommodate more visitation,” he said.
New 2024 highlights include the Royal Australian Air Force’s 100 Squadron heritage aircraft in the Gold Coast sky for the first time en masse.The RAAF Roulettes aerobatic display team has also been locked in for daily shows in their Pilatus PC-21s.
Commodore Micka Gray said the Australian Defence Force and Air Force were pleased to be participating again.
“We’re going to have a great line-up of aircraft and also activities on the ground including our Air Force cadets, a lot of combat support equipment.
“The Roulettes, our incredible aerobatic Air Force display team, fly the PC 21 which is an advanced trainer aircraft but it’s also the aircraft that trainee pilots go on to when they join the Air Force.
“When people see those Roulettes doing those incredible manoeuvres, they’re going to come off the street and join the Air Force and fly those as their first aircraft which is pretty amazing,” he said.
United States military might will be on show too, with two crowd favourite US Marine Corps Osprey helicopters, giant C-17s and refuelling behemoth the KC-135.
Gravity Industry Jetpacks will also be a feature of the 2024 Airshow with performers flying over the water.
“[They] fly with jet packs on their hands so they can actually take off from a platform and fly out over the water and then they’ll come back and land, up close and personal,” Mr Elliott said.
Among many new firsts for the 2024 show on the Surfers Paradise beachfront will be the US Navy Leap Frogs parachute team landing right on the sand amid the crowds.
Two pilots in revolutionary jet suits will showcase the cutting edge of future human flight from the event show centre.
Spectacular daily stunts are being promised too but staying under wraps for now.
Mr Elliott said: “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome everyone back to Pacific Airshow Gold Coast for our second year and are honoured to host the Australian and U.S. military participants announced thus far.
He added: “2023 was a massive success, selling out completely. We are working to make this year’s event even bigger and more exciting both in the air and on the ground in Surfers Paradise.
“Pacific Airshow isn’t just about adrenaline pumping aviation, it’s an amazing family day out with activities for all ages and we have kept it affordable with family of four passes starting at $135 for the day. This first announcement of performers already packs our schedule with world-class talent — but stand by as we have more to come.”
Mr Elliott has said the event is committed to creating unforgettable memories for attendees and looks forward to welcoming everyone in 2024 to build on last year’s success and “aiming to make Pacific Airshow Gold Coast an even more breathtaking experience”.
Mr Elliott, who recently named his newborn daughter ‘Goldie’ after the Gold Coast urged fans to secure their spots on the sand early.
Queensland Airports Ltd CEO Amelia Evans said Gold Coast Airport was excited to be a partner of the Pacific Airshow for the second year in a row.
“As a bit of an av-nerd myself I am very excited this year to see what amazing performances and flyovers we’re going to see.
“The great thing about the Pacific Airshow, it’s not just unique because it’s right here on the Gold Coast. But for me, it’s also because it showcases the excitement of the aviation industry and I’m hoping it might ignite some passion and inspire the next generation to take up a career in aviation.”
Ms Evans also announced on Tuesday Gold Coast Airport had partnered with Webjet to provide easier access for families travelling interstate or internationally to the airshow.
“[The partnership] will give us more opportunities to bring people to the Gold Coast. We look forward to welcoming many more people, many more visitors,” she said.
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said this year’s Airshow is expected to have a $30 million impact on the local economy.
“We’re expecting this year to be bigger and better than last year. There will be more ticketed availability for consumers this year and they’ll also be people stretching right along the coastline, we expect more people out in boats,
“We’re doing a lot of work with local businesses. We’re really excited about the impact for our local economy.
“The Gold Coast is the lifestyle capital of Australia and hosting a world class event like this showcases the city to the world,” he said.
Accor Pacific chief development officer Lindsay Leeser said the company had just renewed their partnership with Pacific Airshow for another two years.
“Bringing events to the Gold Coast is exactly what we need, it’s tremendous to attract visitors both locally, domestically and internationally.
“August is a great time to be on the Coast. To have an event, which is outside of the traditional school holiday periods is fantastic. So it attracts more visitors in those quieter periods and balances out the demand,
“Tickets are selling well. Last year’s event was a huge success with people looking to book and so my recommendation is to book early,” he said.
Mayor Tom Tate said he predicted the crowds would hit 300,000 this year.
“I reckon we’ll see tripled number of boats who are out there with their yachts. I’ve been telling people to tune into a certain station to they can hear [the commentary],
“If it didn’t have the commentary at this level it would be like watching silent movie, with the commentary, the excitement of what they’re going to do next, they tell you the history and you’re taken along the journey of aviation,” he said.
Mayor Tate also said the success of last year’s Airshow shows the Gold Coast can handle anything.
“The Gold Coast does everything. Yes. Can we do whatever event you can dream up? Yes. Commonwealth Games? Yes. Can we run the whole Olympics here? Yes.
“We have the infrastructure in place, the accommodation, the beach and everyone pulling together and making this happen,
“I talk to visitors and the people of the Gold Coast are so friendly and easygoing, happy to just have a chat, matter of fact, sometimes they can’t get away from us because we are so enthusiastic about what’s happening.” he said.
Boarding passes for Australia’s first-class aviation spectacle are on sale now, with pricing as follows:
Adult General Admission: $50 for one day, $100 for a three-day pass;
Family Pass (two adults and two children): $135 for one day;
Hospitality packages: $1650 for a three-day Beach Club pass with food and beverage packages all day, tented pavilion seating, private rest rooms and all access pass.
- a $20,500 package for groups of 10 in The Oasis in the heart of the action with a full food and beverage package, private rest rooms, shaded seating in the pavilion.
The 2024 airshow runs from August 16 to 18.
PACIFIC AIRSHOW GOLD COAST 2024 LINE UP ... SO FAR
● United States Marine Corps MV-22s: Two MV22 Ospreys will display unique tiltrotor capabilities, combining the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft.
● Royal Australian Air Force: 100 Squadron heritage aircraft, complete list to be confirmed.
● Air Force Roulettes: The highly skilled Air Force Roulettes aerobatic team will dazzle the crowd with their thrilling formations and precision flying. Don’t miss their breathtaking performance that demonstrates the highest levels of skill and teamwork.
● United States Air Force C-17s: Dual C17 Globemasters will illustrate air mobility and logistics capabilities in a demonstration highlighting the strategic importance of these massive aircraft in military and humanitarian missions.
● The United States Navy Leap Frogs: The team will perform a series of high-altitude jumps, showcasing precision skydiving and parachute skills in formations that capture the eye and imagination.
● Gravity Industries: Two pilots will be wearing revolutionary jet suits. Gravity Industries designs, builds and flies jet suits, pioneering a new era of human flight. The company was founded to challenge perceived boundaries in human aviation and to inspire others to dare to ask “What if?”
● Matt Hall: Red Bull Air Race world champion, former RAAF top gun fighter pilot and Pacific Airshow Brand Ambassador.
● Emma McDonald: Female aerobatics pilot and Head of Aviation for the Matt Hall racing team.
● Greg Colyer – T-33 Jet: Californian Greg Colyer will take to the skies in the iconic T-33 Shooting Star, showcasing the grace and history of this classic jet trainer aircraft, which has trained generations of pilots and is the first of its kind in Australia.
● Hayden Pullen: Gold Coast professional aerobatic pilot Hayden Pullen will perform in his own Extra 330 LT, known for its agility and speed, demonstrating high-energy aerobatics that push the limits of both pilot and machine.
● Freedom Formation: This team of disciplined Australian pilots will execute precise formations, demonstrating the art of close-flight manoeuvres after being a huge hit at the 2023 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast.
● Westpac Lifesaver Rescue Helicopter: Two Westpac helicopters will display their critical lifesaving capabilities in a simulated search and rescue operation.
● Screaming Diamonds: The Screaming Diamonds will present a flawless routine of formation flying, with tight manoeuvres and painting intricate patterns in the sky.
● Gold Coast Skydive: Expect heart-stopping moments as the Gold Coast Skydive team leaps from breathtaking heights, demonstrating the exhilarating rush and freedom of free fall.
● Red Star Roolettes: Taking a flight away from their day jobs as QANTAS pilots, the Red Star Roolettes will entertain with their skilled aerobatics and formation flying.
● Fastjet L-39s: Two L-39 Albatros aircraft will perform co-ordinated aerobatics.
● Aarron Deliu: World freestyle aerobatics champion Aarron Deliu will astound the crowd with his daring solo aerobatics, demonstrating high G-force manoeuvres and spine-tingling stunts in his specialised aircraft.
● Jacko Strong: Extreme sports sensation Jacko Strong is set to perform a daring stunt, details of which are currently being finalised but are guaranteed to thrill.
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