2024 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast: All changes coming to Surfers Paradise foreshore

The second annual Pacific Airshow is tipped to inject more than $25m into the Gold Coast’s economy this year, as the set-up for the event begins with the removal of beloved foreshore landmarks.

The second annual Pacific Airshow is tipped to inject more than $25m into the Gold Coast’s economy on the back of a dramatic expansion of the event precinct on Surfers Paradise beach.

Patrons are travelling from as far away as the US, UK and United Arab Emirates to attend the event, which will feature some of the world’s most advanced fighter jets performing daring aerial demonstrations above the Glitter Strip.

More than 100 workers flooded onto The Esplanade on Tuesday to begin the 10-day “bump-in”, setting up for the three-day extravaganza, which is expected to be the city’s biggest single event of 2024.

The number of builders will ramp up daily in the lead-up, with show director Kevin Elliott revealing the first jets would arrived on the Gold Coast within days, beginning practice manoeuvres in the skies early next week.

Kevin Elliott. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“Just an incredible, well-rounded show this year and frankly, it’s better than I thought it would being in its second year,” he said.

“It is a testament to being here on the Gold Coast, the vibe of the people and the community and our team is working hard to make sure it s welcoming place for pilots and performers.

“In just a few short days you will start to see aircraft performing and practice and then we will be on our way to a full-on show.”

Tram services will be dramatically ramped up during the three days of the event to cope with capacity, with ticketholders travelling for free on the light rail.

The airshow precinct, which includes cabanas, grandstands and entertainment venues is more than 500m longer this year, dramatically expanding after a sellout audience at the inaugural event in 2023.

The out crowd enjoying the inaugural Pacific Air Show over Surfers Paradise in 2023. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Airshow chief operating officer Sam Pearce said this year’s event was not expected to sell out, owing to the increased capacity but would still be larger than 2023, with more than 30,000 ticket-holders tipped to travel into the precinct each of the three days.

More than 250,000 people in total. including spectators outside the ticketed precinct, attended last year’s show.

He said The Esplanade will remain open to traffic until early next week

“We have less road closures than last year while the event precinct is much longer, so you’ll be seeing a lot of fencing going up off the back of the sellout we had last year, so we are making sure we can accommodate all possible patrons.

“By the numbers (the airshow) was the biggest event on the Gold Coast last year, so its economic benefit to the city was huge.”

Borobi statues being removed from The Esplanade temporarily for the Pacific Airshow which will be held in Surfers Paradise in August 2024. Picture: Andrew Potts

Among the headline acts to be featured in the airshow will be the F-35 Lighting, F-22 Raptor and the F-18 Super Hornet.

Workers on Tuesday also removed several statues of Borobi, the loveable koala mascot from the 2018 Commonwealth Games, from the Surfers Paradise foreshore.

It is understood the removal is temporary and they will be reinstalled in late August following the airshow.

The statues were installed in the lead-up to the 2018 Games as part of the Borobi trail.

They have since become popular selfie and holiday photo spots for tourists and locals alike.