Government hunts organiser for "reset" Jersey Air Display

Thursday 09 March 2023

Prospective Air Display organisers are being invited to submit "expressions of interest" as the government looks to "reset" the much-loved event in line with its "economic and environmental targets".

Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said people and organisations with "strong, demonstrable experience as air event organisers" - including the incumbent, former Deputy Mike Higgins - were being asked to come forward.

The deadline for expressions of interest from potential organisers will be in April, with government grant funding applicable to either 2023 or 2024 depending on the time requirements of any event.

Pictured: Deputy Kirsten Morel

Deputy Morel said: “I know air displays hold a special place in the hearts of many Islanders, but it’s important to ensure government funding continues to represent value for money for Island taxpayers.

“We are not tied to one event format, and we would welcome proposals that are imaginative and innovative. This could be a traditional air display or an event that showcases new technologies and opportunities such as air races, drone displays, or other aerobatic activity. Static displays, which have all but dried up, could also be revitalised, giving a boost to traders and giving people an opportunity to see more.”

The government has said organisers' proposals will be assessed against the following six criteria:

1. Safety - evidence of how any future event would "go above and beyond legal safety requirements".

2. Strategic partnerships - how respondents will "optimise and manage stakeholder relationships" and provide evidence of previous success.

3. Narrative - a "high-level narrative of Jersey’s history, present, and future" that could shape the physical elements of any event.

4. Economic impact - how will the event (both in the air and on the ground) support Jersey’s visitor and hospitality industries and what new initiatives could "invigorate positive economic impact" and how this will be measured.

5. Environmental impact - how environmental impact would be measured and what steps could be taken "as mitigations".

6. Inclusion - how any event would attract new visitors and "renew interest in the event" among islanders.

Deputy Morel added: "Recent tragedies at air events outside Jersey underline that we need to keep safety, and respect for the air regulator, at the centre of everything.

“I am also aware of concerns around the environmental impact of air displays, both in the air and on the ground."

He continued: “We are inviting people and organisations who have strong, demonstrable experience as air event organisers to come forward. It may be that the current organisers apply and are successful, but if we don’t look at what possibilities are available then we won’t know.

"What I do know is that we have an opportunity to ensure a much-loved event becomes aligned to government ambitions in order to get government support."

It comes just days after Guernsey confirmed plans for its own 2023 air display, which will include appearances from the Red Arrows, a Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster.

Pictured: Details of Guernsey's Air Display were confirmed earlier this week.

"We are obviously delighted that the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight have been allocated to display in Guernsey again this year. The allocation of the Lancaster is particularly significant as 2023 marks the 80th anniversary of Operation Chatise, more commonly known as the Dambusters Raid, which was carried out by Avro Lancaster bombers. It will be wonderful to see this iconic plane displaying here in September," said Natalie Davidson, Events Consultant at Black Vanilla, which are organising the event.

"We are waiting for the result of our application for MOD helicopter assets, which we hope will be released soon. In the meantime, we are in touch with private display teams to build the rest of the display in September.

"The final display line up will be dependent on the level of sponsorship that can be secured. We have a number of Consortium membership levels as well as a Corporate Friend package people can get involved with. There is also an individual Friends scheme so all members of the community are able to show their support of this much-loved annual event."