The NI International Airshow will be sponsored by insurance giant, RSA, when it returns to the seaside resort of Portrush on 8th and 9th September.
Coleraine Borough Council, the organisers of the show, has also confirmed that The Red Arrows will give their only display in Ireland this year at the popular event. The world’s top aerobatic display team joins an impressive line up of 20 aircraft each day which will feature a mix of jets, World War 2 fighters, stunt planes and helicopters.
Once again Ireland’s biggest air show will have no admission fee and continues to offer a wider range of attractions than in any other year.
As usual up to 100,000 spectators from all over the country are expected to attend the family event which, in addition to a comprehensive line-up in the air, will feature a non-stop programme of arena shows, family entertainment, sea manoeuvres and rescues, exhibitions, competitions, give-aways and the large trade village.
The horse shoe bay at the West Strand is one of the most picturesque settings of any UK airshow with crowds lining the beach, harbour and cliffs from Blackhill to Ramore Head.
The Northern Ireland Tourist Board has also confirmed financial support to the event as part of their Our Time, Our Place initiative.
The Mayor of Coleraine, Councillor Sam Cole said, “The airshow at Portrush is one of the most important dates on the North Coast in this special year of outstanding events. I am delighted that Council’s Events Team will again manage this popular highlight of the summer which is a key economic driver for the Borough. These type of events rely on support from the private sector and I am delighted to welcome our new title sponsor, RSA, along with the on-going support from Northern Ireland Tourist Board”.
Jack McIlduff , Managing Director, RSA NI said “2012 is proving to be a significant year for Northern Ireland and RSA NI Insurance is thrilled to be involved with the Airshow, which is unquestionably one of the most prestigious events in the calendar. We are really excited about the line-up and are particularly delighted that the RSA NI sponsorship has contributed to bringing the Red Arrows back to the North Coast for another breathtaking display. It is certainly shaping up to be a wonderful family orientated weekend of fun and entertainment and we look forward to being part of it”.
NITB’s Events Manager Eddie Rowan commented, “Northern Ireland Tourist Board is delighted to once again support the NI International Airshow in this fantastic year of the ‘ni 2012: our time, our place’ programme. Portrush has recently hosted the most successful ever Irish Open and combined with the ever popular Airshow, there is significant increased visitor appeal to the North Coast. We are confident that this will be a truly unique and stand out event in this year’s packed programme.”
The event opens at 11am each day with air displays from 12noon-5.30pm. Organisers are promising more surprises in the coming weeks but in the meantime details and pictures of the aircraft can be found on niinternationalairshow.co.uk or on Facebook (PortrushAirshow) and Twitter (PortrushAirshow).