Jersey International Air Display saved by late donations and sponsorships but scaled down

The Jersey International Air Display is one of the island's major tourist attractions. Credit: ITV Channel

The Jersey International Air Display will go ahead after enough funds were raised through a late donations drive, although it will be scaled down from last year.

The show is set to take place as planned on Thursday 12 September and event organisers thanked islanders for their fundraising efforts over the last few weeks.

Organiser Mike Higgins had previously set a crowdfunding target of £50,000 and warned that the popular display may need to be scaled back if this goal was not reached.

However, although less than £31,000 has been raised, extra corporate and private sponsorship means it can go ahead, albeit with some aspects taken out.

The two static displays at Jersey Airport and Lower Park in St Helier will not feature this year.

The air display has been given a government grant of £40,000 from Jersey's Sustainable Development Department, down from £60,000 in 2023.

Mr Higgins says: "The £30,700 donated to our Race Nation giving page was absolutely amazing. When this is taken together with additional corporate and private sponsorship, some as late as Monday morning, it now means that we have sufficient funds to put on the flying display, although we will still have to make some cuts to what we were planning for this year's event.

"We are eternally grateful for their support and can state categorically that this year's air display would not be taking place without it.

"We always believed that the air display was part of Jersey's DNA and the well wishes and financial support we have received proves how much it is loved and valued by islanders."

Aircraft confirmed for this year's Jersey International Air Display include:

  • Èquipe de Voltige de l'Armée de l'Air

  • RADF Falcons Parachute Display Team

  • Navy Wings Fairey Swordfish

  • Navy Wings North American Harvard

  • French North American OV-10 Bronco

  • French Conair Turbo Firecat

  • Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat

  • Dutch Fokker D.XXI WW II fighter

  • Edgely Optica

  • French Breguet Alize anti-submarine aircraft

  • Swedish Air Force Historic Flight Saab B17

  • Swedish Air Force Historic Flight Saab J37 Viggen

  • SIAI-Marchetti SF.260

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