Wales Airshow

Taking to the skies over Swansea Bay on 5 and 6 July 2025

Wales Airshow 2017

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The 2017 Wales Airshow saw another incredible weekend of aerial aerobatics, and also saw another record broken!

Record crowds came to Swansea over the weekend of 1 & 2 July 2017 for the Wales Airshow, enjoying an amazing family weekend. Despite rain on Friday, the good weather arrived just in time for the weekend, with the sun shining on Saturday morning. With the Airshow growing in popularity every year, large crowds gathered at Swansea Bay ready for the day ahead, enjoying the great ground displays or simply enjoying the sun on the beach.

Swansea’s own aerial daredevils Team Raven kicked things off on Saturday in spectacular style, wowing the crowds and warming them up for the great weekend ahead. A packed day of action saw other great acts both new and old including the Autogyro, Pitts Special, Bristol Blenheim, RAF Tutor, Strikemaster and more. There was even time for the Tiger Freefall Display Team to drop in, The RAF Typhoon to bring the noise, and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight to display the iconic Spitfire and Hurricane. And of course, who could forget the RAF Red Arrows.

Sunday saw even better weather, and with a stacked card including the mighty Chinook, the crowds enjoyed an even better day of Airshow than before. With even less cloud, the Red Arrows were able to perform their full high cloud display, providing an incredible sight over Swansea Bay, and some great photo opportunities.

And in the end, records crowds enjoyed the displays, with 250,000 attending over the weekend for the 2017 Wales Airshow! A big thank you and congratulations to everyone who came – you’re record breakers!

We’ll be back for 2018, where we’ll be bringing you another stacked weekend of aerial action over Swansea Bay, and hoping to break the record again! Until then, you can stay up to date with all the latest Wales Airshow information by following us on social media or signing up to our mailing list.

See you in 2018!

Road Closures and Security Update

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Increased safety and new security measures are being implemented due to an anticipated record crowd for the event on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2.

*CHECK OUT OUR TRAVEL AND PARKING FAQ’S SECTION FOR INFORMATION ON PARKING, ROAD CLOSURES, PUBLIC TRANSPORT, DISABLED ACCESS AND MORE *

Record crowds expected
Record crowds expected

This will mean additional road closures are being introduced for the event.

  • Oystermouth Road from the junction with West Way through to Mumbles Road at the junction with Sketty Lane will be closed in both directions from approximately 10am until after the final displays around 6pm on both days.
  • Access will be maintained for Marina residents, while arrangements will be made to allow people to reach Swansea Civic Centre, Swansea University’s Singleton Campus and the pre-booked premium car park at the Recreation Ground.
  • People travelling from outside Swansea for the airshow will be directed to exit the M4 at Junction 42 and to use the park and ride facilities on Fabian Way and Junction 45 for the Landore park and ride. The park and ride routes have been adapted to drop visitors directly at the show.
  • Non-airshow visitors heading to Gower will be directed to Junction 47 at Penllergaer.
  • Swansea residents travelling to the airshow by car from the west of Swansea are being encouraged to use the official car park at Ashleigh Road Playing Fields.
  • Those from the east of Swansea are being urged to use the car parks at the LC, St David’s, Paxton Street and the park and ride sites.

Road Closure Notice

Click on the image for a bigger version.

Team Raven confirmed!

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Local daredevils have joined the line-up this summer’s Wales Airshow in Swansea.

Team Raven, a formation aerobatic display team based in the Swansea area, will be performing at the free event on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2.

Swansea Council is behind the Wales Airshow, with Swansea University on board as the event’s key sponsor. The university is also sponsoring the Team Raven display.

Made up of Simon Shirley, Steve Lloyd, Barry Gwynnett, Gerald Williams, Ian Brett and Mark Southern, Team Raven fly RV aircraft.

As well as throughout the UK, Team Raven has also performed in Holland, Belgium, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Major Projects, said: “We’re very pleased to again confirm that Team Raven will be taking part in this summer’s free Wales Airshow. Their participation shows how keen we are to celebrate and showcase local aerobatic talent, as well as aircraft and displays from across the world.

“The Airshow is now only just over two weeks away, so excitement is starting to build as the best free event of its kind in Wales edges ever closer.

“Combining top quality family-friendly entertainment in the skies and on the ground in the area of the promenade in Swansea, the Airshow is fantastic news for local people, local businesses and visitors to the city.”

Other aircraft taking part in the Airshow include the Red Arrows, the Typhoon display team, the Bristol Blenheim, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Chinook display team, the Tigers parachute display team and Gyro Air Displays.

A dynamic timetable of display times for the Airshow will be fed into an Airshow App a few days before the event.

The App, which is sponsored by the Oxwich Bay Hotel, is now available and will be updated in real time to reflect changes in the event schedule and timings that may be caused by the weather and other factors.

Details of premium parking and park and ride for the Wales Airshow are also now available.

The Bristol Blenheim

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The Bristol Blenheim

A British plane that was extensively used during the first two years of the Second World War will be taking part in the Wales Airshow this summer.

The Bristol Blenheim proudly sponsored by the Village hotel at Wales Airshow 2017, has been added to the line-up for the free event, which takes place in the skies above Swansea on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2.

Around 50 Blenheims supported the Dunkirk evacuation by harassing enemy forces in 1940.

Swansea Council is behind the Wales Airshow, with Swansea University on board as the event’s key sponsor.

Frances Jenkins, the council’s Strategic Manager for Marketing, Tourism and Events, said: “This is the first time ever that the Bristol Blenheim will participate in the Wales Airshow in Swansea.

“As well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the confirmation of this aircraft shows how determined we are to combine nostalgia with state-of-the-art aerobatic displays, helping ensure the event has something for everyone.

“The Wales Airshow is the best free event of its kind in the country. It’s important not just because it offers world class entertainment on local people’s doorsteps, but also because it attracts many thousands of visitors from across South Wales and further afield. This means more spending in the city’s shops, restaurants, hotels, pubs and other businesses, which is great boost for the local economy.”

A dynamic timetable of display times for the Airshow will be fed into an Airshow App a few days before the event.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

The App, which is now available, will be updated in real time to reflect changes in the event schedule and timings that may be caused by the weather and other factors.

Details of premium parking and park and ride for the Wales Airshow are also now available.

BOOK PREMIUM PARKING

Other aircraft now confirmed for the Wales Airshow include the RAF Red Arrows, the RAF Typhoon display team, the RAF Chinook, the Tigers parachute display team and Gyro Air Displays.

Gyro Air Displays & Tigers parachute display team confirmed!

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Gyro Display Team and Tigers

Download the APPGyro  Air Displays and the Tigers parachute display team have been added to the line-up for this year’s free Wales Airshow, which is taking place on Saturday July 1 and Sunday July 2.

A type of aircraft with freely rotating blades and a propeller, an Autogyro famously featured in 1967 James Bond movie You Only Live Twice, starring Sean Connery.

Formed in 1986, the Tigers parachute team has performed in locations throughout the world, including Berlin, Kosovo and Cyprus.

Union Jack parachutes have featured in some of their past displays, much like the iconic opening scene from 1977 Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me, starring Roger Moore as 007.

Parachute stunts have also featured in several other James Bond movies, including Moonraker, A View to a Kill and The Living Daylights.

Swansea Council is behind the Wales Airshow, with Swansea University on board as the event’s key sponsor this year.

Frances Jenkins, the council’s Strategic Manager for Culture, Tourism, Marketing and Events, said: “This summer’s Wales Airshow is now really starting to take shape, with the Autogyro and the Tigers parachute display team adding to an event that already includes the Red Arrows, the Typhoon display team, the Sea Vixen and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Tigers Display Team“There will be aircraft from all eras at the Airshow, helping cater for fans of nostalgia and both residents and visitors keen to see state-of-the-art technology in the skies above Swansea.

“Being held in July for the third consecutive year, this event has become a key part of our Enjoy Swansea annual programme of events and activities. It’s enormously popular with local people and airshow enthusiasts from across the UK and beyond, meaning it’s sure to once again help generate a bumper weekend of trade for our businesses.

“More confirmations will be announced in coming weeks as we finalise the details for the best free event of its kind in the country.”

A dynamic timetable of display times for the event will be fed into a Wales Airshow App a few days before the free event.

The App will also be updated in real time to reflect changes in the event schedule and timings that may be caused by the weather and other factors.

Sponsored by the Oxwich Bay Hotel and including ‘money off’ vouchers, the App is now available to download from the App Store and Google Play for £1.99.

There will be free updates for people who bought the App for last year’s Airshow.

The App also includes information and links to places to stay, things to do, and places to eat and drink. Other features include display team biographies.

Download the APP

Returning to the skies above Swansea Bay 5 and 6 July 2025!

Featuring breathtaking aerobatic displays, state-of-the-art military aircraft and vintage planes from the past, tens of thousands of visitors enjoy the Wales Airshow in Swansea Bay every year. Expect to see exciting air displays, incredible ground displays, entertainment and much more. For updates, sign up to our mailing list and be sure to follow us on social media.

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