Four air display organisers say they want to run next year's event

Monday 19 June 2023

Four air display organisers have expressed an interest in running next year’s event in Jersey.

They responded to an invitation from the Government, which in March announced that it wanted to “reset” the way it supported the annual display, which has been run for many years by a not-for-profit company led by former St. Helier Deputy Mike Higgins.

Traditionally, the free display has been supported by an annual grant which the Government gives to Ports of Jersey, which in turn passes on the full amount to the display organiser. In 2021, the grant was up to £100,000.

However, in March, Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel announced that he would like to shake up the way taxpayers fund the event.

This was against a backdrop of concerns about the environmental impact of displays, a fall in the number of static aircraft on show in Jersey, and a desire to inject more “new technologies and opportunities” which might include air races and drone displays.

The Government has not revealed who the four potential organisers are, and it is currently evaluating their proposals.

However, one of those is the incumbent organiser – Jersey International Air Display – which is running this year’s event due to take place on 14 September.

Confirmed participants this year include the Red Arrows, the RAF Falcon Display Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Patrouille de France Display Team and a French Air Force A400 Atlas.

It is understood that because the current organiser had already lodged its event application for this year when the ‘expressions of interest’ process was ongoing, the Government is speaking with JIAD around a provisional offer of support for this year. 

The Government has pointed out that it does not determine the form of air shows or who runs them, and any organiser who can demonstrate to the Bailiff, who gives permission for public events, and the Director of Civil Aviation that they are a ‘competent authority’ is free to put forward plans for a display. 

Current display organiser Mike Higgins said: “We are actively focused on putting on a display this year and that is my number one priority. We received permission from the DCA only recently so we are organising display aircraft as quickly as we can, as well as working through procedural matters with the authorities and talking to sponsors.”

He added that the grant offered by the Government this year was £40,000 less than was required; therefore, the need for sponsorship was paramount.

The previous two displays were scaled back due to a steep rise in fuel prices and a lack of funding, which includes sponsorship. The event did not run in 2020 because of the pandemic.

Last November, Mr Higgins said that this year’s event would return to a full display, including static displays at the Airport and West Park.

Jersey’s air display is always held on the same day as Guernsey’s with some aircrafts, including the Red Arrows, typically performing in both. 

Both displays are used to raise money for British service charities as well as featuring prominently in tourism marketing.