Advertisement 1

Airshow London draws 20,000 as popularity remains sky-high

Article content

London’s drive-in air show is a hit.

More than 20,000 people filled the fields around London International Airport over the weekend to view aerial displays as Airshow London took to the skies in a pandemic-friendly drive-in format, organizers said.

“It has been amazing,” said Tori Hill, a spokesperson for the event that drew 2,500 vehicles both Saturday and Sunday. “We had great turnout. We sold out Saturday and Sunday.”

Advertisement 2
Story continues below
Article content
Article content

In all there were 16 performers, including the U.S. Blue Angels, six F-18 Super Hornet jets, as well as the Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet demonstration team.

The second of two U.S. Navy Super Hornets leaves a trail of disturbed heated air during its takeoff at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
The second of two U.S. Navy Super Hornets leaves a trail of disturbed heated air during its takeoff at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

The event was made COVID-compliant as a drive-in show with no static displays where those attending could usually view planes on the tarmac. Instead, each vehicle was given a designated area where they could park and attendees could sit in lawn chairs to watch the skies.

“Everyone lined up in their cars in a row, we mapped out a spot drawn on the ground where they could park and people brought out chairs, coolers and umbrellas,” Hill said.

There were also food and beverage carts travelling the area where snacks and drinks could be purchased, she added.

The Northern Stars Pitts S-2B acrobatic biplanes are shown during their performance at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
The Northern Stars Pitts S-2B acrobatic biplanes are shown during their performance at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network

The show also featured the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the U.S. Navy had an E-2C Hawkeye while the U.S. Navy brought a C-17 Globemaster. There were also fly-bys by U.S. military aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers and tankers.

“Last year we had a drive-in event as well and surveys showed about 90 per cent asked to have the drive-in format return,” Hill said. “We’re very happy with how it all turned out.”

ndebono@postmedia.com

A U.S. Navy E-2 Hawkeye shows off its distinctive radar dome during a performance at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
A U.S. Navy E-2 Hawkeye shows off its distinctive radar dome during a performance at Airshow London on Sunday August 29, 2021. Mike Hensen/The London Free Press/Postmedia Network
Article content
Comments
You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.
Join the Conversation

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.

Latest National Stories
    This Week in Flyers