World’s Biggest Airshow Heads Down Under

-Australia’s Gold Coast prepares to host hundreds of thousands

of locals and visitors to its inaugural aviation and lifestyle spectacular-

The thunderous rumbling of jets defying gravity – creating an adrenaline rush and jaw-dropping spectacle – with hundreds of thousands of spectators on the beach watching in awe – will be the hallmark of Australia’s newest and biggest entertainment extravaganza.

 Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is due to take-off over Australia’s iconic Surfers Paradise Beach in August 2023.

IT’S NOT JUST AN AIRSHOW - IT’S AN EXPERIENCE

Every year, more than three million people flock to California’s famous Huntington Beach for the event that has redefined the airshow experience.

And now leading US event organisers, Code Four, are expanding their signature event Down Under, bookending the Pacific Ocean with what will be Australia's biggest ever airshow.

Pacific Airshow is all about maximising the adrenalin rush as the world’s best aviators push to the edge of what’s possible - where you can surf to the sounds of 40,000 pounds of thrust racing across your chest and be left scratching your head in amazement at the same time.

Today (27 April), Surfers Paradise was bustling as Code Four revealed its plans for the inaugural Pacific Airshow Gold Coast, set to include an action-packed line-up featuring the world’s most elite military aviators and civilian performers as well as emerging urban air mobility technologies and much more.

In addition to a stunning display of aerial acrobatics overhead, the three-day lifestyle festival will incorporate an epic entertainment and hospitality program, A-lister parties and exclusive VIP meet and greet events.

While parents and children mix with the bikini-clad bodies on the beach, foodies savour the experience over fine wine and gourmet cuisine, and music lovers gather to dance the night away. The skies overhead will be ablaze with the world’s best aviation aerobatics as a flotilla of spectator boats head to deeper water to take in the view offshore.

Everyone will be heading to the Gold Coast for what promises to be one of the biggest parties in Australia – the result of more than three year’s planning by Code Four who have worked closely with the City of Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland and Australian Defence Force stakeholders to bring this extraordinary event to Australia.

“There has never been an air event of this scale staged anywhere in Australia. That’s why the Gold Coast is famous for fun – in the air and on the ground,’’ said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

“This event underscores our commitment to attracting the very best in global entertainment for our residents, visitors and businesses.”

Code Four CEO Kevin Elliott said Pacific Airshow Gold Coast would be a spectacle like no other - an international Airshow combined with a family-friendly lifestyle festival transforming the sky over iconic Surfers Paradise beach into Australia’s biggest stage.

“This will be an annual event that will feature the finest aerobatic teams and performers from around the globe as well as inspiring educational STEM activities, music, entertainment and much more,” he said.

“The economic impact of this event will be tremendous and well timed given Gold Coast’s recovery from covid and should reinforce that the destination is open for business. I would expect to see a major increase in theme park attendance on Airshow weekend, as an example,” said Elliott.

Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick said securing the Pacific Airshow was a game changer for the Gold Coast.

“This exciting five-year partnership well and truly cements our city's reputation as a world-class events destination that has the capacity to host the biggest shows on the planet," said Ms McCormick. 

“The economic impact of hosting an event of this size is also substantial and will deliver a significant boost not just for businesses in Surfers Paradise but for hotels, restaurants, retail, and the event industry supply chain right across the city and the greater Southeast Queensland region.”  

Australia’s most recognisable aviator, Matt Hall, Air Race world champion and former Royal Australian Air Force top gun fighter pilot, has signed on as the event’s first ambassador.

Pacific Airshow, now the biggest Airshow in the United States, features an outstanding aviation line-up year after year, including performances by the US. Air Force Thunderbirds, US Navy Blue Angels, UK Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, as well as many of the world’s finest civilian performers.

The event has developed a remarkable following as the only Airshow in history to win the US Air Force Show Site of the Year two years in a row.

In 2021, Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach was seen by more than 3 million people on the ground and has become the region’s cornerstone Autumn event.

In 2021 the event became the first Airshow in history to be streamed live on Hulu, the United States most popular streaming service owned by Disney. The success of the broadcast has resulted in a contract renewal for Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach taking flight this October.

The 2019 Airshow contributed more than US$3.4 million in tax revenue to the City of Huntington Beach alone, with US$68 million in direct spending and an overall economic impact of more than US$105 million to the host city, according to an independent report prepared by Destination Analysts.

Pacific Airshow Gold Coast is expected to generate comparable results in direct spending and economic benefit for the Gold Coast, making it one of the nation’s biggest entertainment and lifestyle events.

Contact Information:
Deanna Nott
+61 422 504540
deanna@wingspr.com.au