The airshow at the beach is to stay on the Gold Coast after Queensland secured the event for two more years.
The 2026 Pacific Airshow’s Gold Coast event returned last weekend after last year’s event was cancelled due to cyclone beach damage.
The airshow features current and historic military and civilian aircraft carrying out flypasts over the water with aerobatics, skydiving and aerial rescue displays as well.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the success of last weekend’s event has cemented its place as a favourite on their major events calendar.
“The Pacific Airshow is an experience like no other; it’s big, it’s bold and puts the Gold Coast and our famous Surfers Paradise skyline on the world stage,” he says.
“The airshow has proven yet again why it’s one of the biggest drawcards on our city’s annual event calendar and we’re not stopping there.
“Buckle up because there’s no slowing down now. We’re going full throttle through to 2028 with more high-octane aerial action, big stunts and roaring jets coming our way.”
GOVT EYES AIRSHOW BOUNTY
The state government says it is eyeing a bounty of more than $28 million and 97,000 visitor nights from the 2028 event.
Tourism Minister Andrew Powell claims that hosting major events is about more than putting on a show: “Events like the Pacific Airshow bring people to Queensland, fill hotel rooms and put money through the tills of local businesses,” he says.
“That means more work for tourism operators, more customers for small businesses and more reasons for visitors to choose the Gold Coast.”
MP for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek says the contract extension is a major win for his community.
“Locking in this event until 2028 provides certainty for local operators and reinforces Surfers Paradise as a premier destination for major events,” he says.
Airshow chief executive officer CEO Kevin Elliott welcomes the extension and says his team is already focused on taking the show to new heights.
“We are fired up to bring Pacific Airshow Gold Coast all the way through to 2028,” he says.
“This is one of the biggest events on the calendar. We’re going all in to make it bigger, bolder, and better every single year.
“The best is yet to come; we can’t wait to share it with everyone.”
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