Public Appeal – Press Release
The Jersey International Air Display is today announcing an appeal to the public to assist in its fund raising towards ensuring that the 2024 display can take place.
To date approximately half the funding has been secured (through the Government Grant and corporate sponsorship) but there is more to do.
The Jersey International Air Display is recognised as being one of the most entertaining and well run Air Displays in the United Kingdom. In 2013 it was awarded the Paul Bowen Trophy for the best European Air Display and is a long standing feature of the Jersey Tourism Calendar, being one of the biggest tourism events in the Island.
It is watched in person and online by over 50,000 people As the largest free event in the Island, the Air Display is funded by private sponsorship and a small government grant. This means that all families irrespective of their income can enjoy the flying display over St Aubin’s Bay and activities on the Lower Park together. Although the event has been diminished in recent years due to the restrictions that followed the COVID outbreak and required in the post pandemic recovery phase and by a shortfall of funding in this period, it is intended to ultimately return to its 2013 standard with enhanced static displays, and potentially STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) areas that complement the display.
Event organiser Mike Higgins said : “We very much welcome the support of the Government of Jersey and of Ports of Jersey, however we need the help of the public. In 2023 and 2022 we received £60,000 from the Government. In previous years various amounts up to £100,000 were received as a grant. However this year, due to budgetary restrictions the annual grant has been limited to £40,000 and sadly costs have not gone down and in fact have increased substantially.”
This year we have established a fully functional crowd funding page (Link : https://sportsgiving.co.uk/sponsor/activity/appeal-for-12-september-2024/jersey-international-air-display ) and would be extremely grateful for any support that people can give.
If £5 was donated for every person who watched the display in the bay alone last year, not only would that fund the 2024 display, it would also start to put us on a more sustainable footing for future displays, which is our ultimate objective.
The Jersey International Air Display is part of the DNA of our Island Community. Not only is it a significant event in the Island’s calendar for local and visitors alike, but with its origins in the previous Battle of Britain Air Display it also remains a poignant reminder of the reasons behind our Liberation, and our Liberty. It also remains a significant day for relevant charities to raise funds to care for our military veterans.
Note to Editors:
1. The air display organisers have already booked the following aircraft to appear in this year’s air display:
Équipe de Voltige de l’Armée de l’Air (French Air Force Extra 330)
RAF Parachute Display Team – The Falcons
RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster
The French North American OV-10 Bronco
French Conair Turbo Firecat (ex-Securite Civile fire fighting aircraft)
Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat
Dutch Fokker D.XXI WW II fighter
Edgely Optica
French Breguet Alize anti-submarine aircraft
Other rather unique aircraft owners are in touch with the organisers and could be booked for the display if the funds were available.
Indeed, the air display has a history of bringing unique aircraft and displays to the Island.
For example the AeroSPARX aerobatic team were first brought to the Island by the Air Display, and first performed their night time pyrotechnic at the Helpers After Show Event. They have continued to delight Islanders both at the Air Display and more recently as part of the Battle of Flowers finale for the night parade.
Some of the aircraft / displays brought to the Island are unavailable to mainland UK based organisers.
2. Hoteliers have said that the air display is the biggest tourism event in the island and that the Battle of Flowers is the biggest community event.
3. In the past the Tourism Department conducted surveys of those who came to the Island and the air display and calculated that the air display has contributed millions of pounds over the years to the Jersey economy. Our own smaller survey last year suggested that around £1.5M was spent by visitors to the Island as a result of the Display.
4. For corporate (and other significant donations), we have been pleased to arrange behind the scene meetings with pilots, and close up encounters with display planes, and indeed have arranged for sponsors and or their guests/employees to fly in some of the aircraft participating in the air display as well attendance at the pre-air display reception and the post air display Thank You Party.
5. On social media, 4 of the display teams last year had over 1 million followers on Facebook alone, and all carried positive and complimentary posts about the 2023 display.
6. The Jersey International Air Display is organized by a private sector not-for-profit Jersey company (Jersey International Air Display a.r.l), which not only has the rights to the event but has also successfully organized a safe and internationally recognized air display for 25 years for the benefit of islanders and tourists to the Island. It is run by approximately 30 volunteers from Jersey and the United Kingdom.
7. JIAD would always welcome any approach from anyone interested in assisting with supporting the Display and the organisation and logistics surrounding it.
8. In the event that the Display does not take place all funds raised will be put towards the 2025 Display. In the event the Display is permanently cancelled, donations will be split evenly between Jersey’s Helping Wings Charity and British Military Service Charities.
9. For clarification or more information please contact:
Mike Higgins
Event Organiser
Mobile: 07797-728604
Landline: 873956
Email: m.r.higgins@live.com