NI airshow is grounded

UUP MLA David McClarty spoke out after Coleraine Borough Council announced that they were not going to stage the landmark airshow in Portrush this September.

A council spokesman said the decision to cancel the tenth annual airshow was made for several reasons.

"A number of sponsors have been forced to reduce their contribution to airshow funding. This is a direct consequence of the economic downturn," he said.

The NI International Airshow 2009, set in the West Bay, Portrush, featured the Red Arrows on both days of the event.

As well as 20 air displays each day, the shoreline was covered in arena acts, children's entertainment, exhibitions and a trade village.

Among the attractions was the world's largest commercial airliner, the 525-seat Airbus A380.

Mr McClarty, a Coleraine councillor, said the area is the "premier tourist area outside Belfast and we will fight to retain that status".

"In Coleraine we can't guarantee the sun, so we make sure we have good quality events to attract the holidaymaker such as the North West 200, the Milk Cup and the airshow."

He said last year's event "showed how high a standing the event had in the wider community".

"The council have every hope and wish that it will come back.

"The importance of the airshow was its quality – and the fact it extended the tourist season into September. As a council we owe the local businesses the provision of such huge attractions."

The Coleraine Council spokesman said they had "explored all options, including increasing its own contribution to this showpiece event".

"In normal circumstances council would seek to offset the funding shortfall through additional sponsorship from private sector partners," he said.

"However, many organisations are facing financial pressure at this time. The council must always remain focused on its core services whilst keeping the rate at an affordable level for its citizens and local businesses."

Mr McClarty said the council were put in the "difficult position" of trying to balance events against the lack of funding from companies experiencing the recession – and household and business rates bills.

"When we looked at the airshow plans, there was not going to be as much on offer as there was last year because of the lack of funding from businesses, so we decided to leave it to next year to make a success of it. This is not something we intend to lose," he said.