Shannon to stage dazzling airshow to celebrate 70thanniversary of first commercial transatlantic flight
Acts from across Europe to delight huge crowds with sky acrobatics and dare-devil feats
Family fun day to also include wide array of free activities on the ground
Wednesday, 03 June 2015: Shannon Airport will deliver an air display extravaganza on July 18th to mark a key milestone in Irish aviation history – the 70th anniversary of the first commercial transatlantic flight at the airport.
An estimated 40,000 people are expected at the airport for the airshow.
The airshow will provide a visual treat from some of Ireland and Europe’s leading aerobatics performers, parachutists, helicopters, jet fighters and stunt fliers during the six hour event.
In addition to the sky manoeuvres on the day, there will be plenty of on-the-ground action, including a static aircraft and tank display, entertainment zone, live music and a catering zone with an array of dining choices.
The entertainment area will be especially geared to children, with activities to include a bungee run, obstacle course, a 30ft spider climber, a party-bouncer, a giant Jenga game, puppet shows, a 40 seater carousel, face painters, magicians, a nail art station and much, much more.
Arrangements are well advanced for the airshow, which will see the attendance pass through specially installed access points to the airfield, from where they will view the airshow and enjoy an array of family fun festivities. Some 4km of fencing will be put in place around the airfield as well as creating access two vehicular access points and a pedestrian entry.
Tickets for the event will cost just €5 and are available now on Eventbrite -http://shannondisplay15.
The Shannon line-up will include the Blacknights, the most successful parachute team to ever come out of Ireland and involving members made up from army, air corps and navy. The Iolar, which is a replica of the original aircraft that heralded the founding of Aer Lingus in 1936, and the Chipmunks, a popular training aircraft for both civil and military aviation, will also perform.
Among those also displaying their air skills will be the Norweigan Airforce with its ‘historical squad’, which will bring the Mig-15 for its first ever visit to Shannon. The RAF Hunter Jet, first flown in 1955, will also be performing. O’Brien’s Flying Circus, one of the UK’s most daredevil acts, will also thrill audiences with their crazy stunts, including landing on a moving trailer at 55mph.
The airshow will celebrate the anniversary of the first ever scheduled commercial transatlantic passenger plane which landed at Shannon Airport on 24th October 1945. The aircraft was the ‘Flagship London’, an American Overseas Airline (AOA) DC4 which was flew from Gander to Shannon in 8 hours 20 minutes.
From that time on, Shannon became synonymous not only with aviation in Ireland but globally as it became the original airport gateway between the US and Europe and went on to achieve a number of global firsts for aviation, including being the birthplace of Duty Free. Today it operates services to 33 destinations across the UK, Europe and the US.
Looking ahead to the airshow, Shannon Airport Chairman Rose Hynes said, “This is an important year for us and we have a number of events marking this very special anniversary but the airshow is most definitely one of the highlights. It allows us mark the first commercial transatlantic flight at Shannon, which took place 70 years ago this year, a hugely significant event in Irish aviation.
“We are very proud of our place in global aviation and it is right that we honour that history in style with the festivities in Shannon on July 18th .and giving due recognition to the pioneers of 70 years ago who thought it possible to create an airport here in Shannon that would play a key role in Ireland’s economic development.”
Said Airport Operations Director Niall Maloney: “It is 25 years since we last had an airshow here at Shannon and our ultimate aim in staging our 2015 airshow is to provide an exciting, action packed day of fun and entertainment with plenty of thrills for all.
“Shannon is very much a family airport so we have put a major emphasis also on developing a strong family fun programme for the event, not least in terms of providing a range of activities for children to enjoy. There will be plenty to see in the skies but a whole lot for them to enjoy on the ground also so there’s much to look forward to.
