Pacific Airshow Gold Coast Soars to Success

The inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast has set new standards for success,exceeding all expectations and leaving a lasting mark on the region’s event landscape.

The event, held from 18 to 20 August, witnessed an overwhelming turnout, vibrant community support and a significant boost to the local economy.

“We always expected that the event was going to be really successful. Everybody that we spoke to, every stakeholder we discussed this with during the planning process, said that they thought that Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast was the perfect location for this event. And, you know, turns out they were right,” said Kevin Elliott, CEO of Code Four and Pacific Airshow Director.

It is estimated that more than 200,000 watched the event — from the bustling event precinct to nearby beaches and balconies spanning The Spit to Burleigh.

“We sold everything that we had available to sell, which is fantastic for a first-year event. With these events you estimate how much catering and infrastructure you’re going to need and we sold to our maximum capacity that we were planning for,” Mr Elliott stated.

Discussing potential improvements for the future, Mr Elliott mentioned plans to expand the events footprint and enhance hospitality offerings. “We’ll look to add maybe a few more gates and add some more hospitality options. Coupled with additional programmatic improvements, we’ll continue to level up the event from this 1.0 version to the next year.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate agreed the airshow had exceeded all expectations.

“The city was absolutely buzzing. The beach, balconies and parks were crowded with people up and down the coast watching the spectacular show. It’s ‘plane’ to see people loved it and we can’t wait to bring it back in 2024.”

Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick highlighted the positive impact on the local economy. “The Pacific Airshow Gold Coast generated huge interest, with out of region visitors making up a big proportion of total ticket sales,” said Ms McCormick. “Those visitors stay in the city for an extended amount of time, spending money on accommodation, and in our restaurants, bars, and retail outlets.

“What we are really proud of is the way this event has been embraced by the entire Gold Coast community, and the economic benefits will have been felt right across the city.”

Ms McCormick also addressed the success from a business perspective.

“I heard from a local brewing company and bar that they had a 100% increase in revenue from last weekend. Businesses are making a lot of money out of this. The events growth will only benefit every business, and we look forward to working with Code Four to continue this trend.”

With Pacific Airshow Gold Coast's successful debut, plans are already in motion for the next edition. “Our team is talking to all of our stakeholders, and obviously everybody wants to come to the Gold Coast. So, we just need the stars to align, and we need weather like this, and I’m sure we can make it bigger and better next year for our ticket holders, performers and our partners,” Mr Elliott remarked.

The statistics accompanying Pacific Airshow Gold Coast are as impressive as the planes that graced the skies. With flight hours surpassing four hours per day, the event showcased a range of aerial manoeuvres that pushed the boundaries of speed and altitude. From sea level to heights of 15,000 feet and thrilling near- supersonic speeds, the show was a testament to the extraordinary skill of the pilots leaving attendees awestruck.

Behind the scenes, the Pacific Airshow was a collaborative effort involving 116 dedicated volunteers across the event precinct and key airports, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Southport and RAAF Base Amberley. The hospitality team, working tirelessly over three days, catered to the needs of 4,500 guests, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all attendees.

The diversity of the audience was mirrored in the events attendees. The farthest- travelled guest hailed from British Columbia, a testament to the airshows international appeal. The age spectrum ranged from a four-month-old infant, who became the youngest guest to witness the spectacle, to a 99-year-old World War II veteran.

Pacific Airshow attendees near Show Centre, Surfers Pardise