Air display still uncertain despite sponsorship pledges

Monday 31 July 2023

This summer’s air display still hangs in the balance but the deadline for sponsorship has been extended after the organiser received a number of pledges of money over the weekend.

On Friday, Express reported that Mike Higgins – who has run the Jersey International Air Display for the past 23 years – was days away from cancelling this year’s event, which is due to be held on Thursday 14 September.

This is because, he says, of uncertainty caused by the Government’s decision to change the way it allocates its annual grant.

In March, the Government said it would put next year’s air display funding out to tender and invited ‘expressions of interest’ from would-be event organisers.

Four potential organisers, including long-time incumbent, a not-for-profit company called Jersey International Air Display Ltd, led by Mr Higgins, have applied.

However, this year’s display is still being run by JIAD.

Mr Higgins said on Friday that he was still £75,000 short of the amount required to fund this year's display, and called for financial support from sponsors.

Pictured: The French Air Force National Aerobatic Display Team, the Patrouille de France, is booked to attend the air display in September.

Today, he said he had received “a number of £5,000 pledges” but had not managed to raise the full amount needed.

Remaining optimistic, he said he had extended the deadline – when a decision has to be taken on whether to go ahead or not – from the end of today to close of play on Friday. 

He said: “We are especially appealing to those companies who benefit from the air display or use it to host various corporate hospitality events on the day for their clients and/or employees to come forward to help fund it."

Anyone interested in sponsoring the display can email Mr Higgins at m.r.higgins@live.com. 

The Government has given JIAD Ltd a £40,000 grant this year, awarded through Ports of Jersey. It says that, in making this offer, it was clear that any other money required to stage the display would have to be raised by sponsorship and commercial agreements.