Planning is underway for this year’s Clacton Airshow, which is marking its 30th event.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Airshow organising team is planning options with its flight director partners TSA Consulting Ltd to make the landmark an extra-special event on 24-25 August. Flight organisations such as the RAF are assessing our bids for flight displays.

Alex Porter, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Tourism, urged people to put the date of the 30th Clacton Airshow in their diaries now. “Hitting its 30th event is no small feat, especially when you consider the fate of many other air shows in our region, and we will certainly be looking to mark the occasion appropriately,” Councillor Porter said. We know these are difficult financial times – and the decision to continue with this year’s event was not a straight-forward one – but we understand the importance of this event to local businesses, to visitors, and the pride it brings to the local community. However, now more than ever it is vital that people support the Clacton Airshow through buying a programme, donating via our collection buckets or online now, or even volunteering at the event. We will announce the flight displays nearer the time; we plan to do something fitting and we’d encourage people to make their holiday plans around the Airshow.”

The 29th Clacton Airshow, held on 25-26 August last year, saw one of the event’s busiest-ever days on day two. The flight display included the RAF Red Arrows (sponsored by Lightspeed Broadband), the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (sponsored by Befibre) and a twilight display on the first evening.

Drone footage taken during the 2022 Airshow has been revealed this week on the Essex Sunshine Coast social media channels and the Clacton Airshow website (www.clactonairshow.com).

TDC worked with the flight director team to fly the drone shortly before the Red Arrows took to the Clacton skies on the second day of the 2022 event, and will use the footage to promote the area.

It is thought to be the first time a drone has been flown at the Clacton Airshow, which has strictly controlled airspace for safety reasons, and the video reveals the scale of crowds at the 29th event.

Cllr Porter added: “As this new drone footage shows – and as we know as organisers – the Clacton Airshow is extremely popular, it is a fun event for all the family, and also a real boost for local businesses and a big advert for the Essex Sunshine Coast.”

Anyone looking to exhibit at or sponsor the Clacton Airshow 2023 should contact clactonairshow@tendringdc.gov.uk – while donations to support the event can be made at www.clactonairshow.com.