Admission prices have been set for Airbourne 2008 and entry to Eastbourne’s most prestigious event will cost as little as £2.50, in return for the best front row location to watch the biggest seafront airshow in the world.Organisers, Eastbourne Borough Council, are keen to secure the long term future of this premier event and conform to revised health and safety regulations. All income generated will go straight back to Tourism, to sustain, improve and enhance the excellent tourism services in Eastbourne. The town boasts a bumper events calendar, a vibrant seafront and a wealth of visitor attractions, but with the cost of staging such high profile events rising plus the vision to continue improving these each year, a small admission charge has been introduced to keep Airbourne safe for the future.

Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson for Tourism, Cllr Steve Wallis said “Airbourne is a world renowned event and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe. This is its 16th year and with the cost of securing top flying displays rising and becoming harder every year, a small admission charge is the best way to help us secure the long term future of this popular event. The fact that all income generated will be ring-fenced and pumped directly back into Eastbourne Tourism is a huge incentive, and will allow us to continue to deliver a fantastic events programme and keep drawing visitors back to our seaside resort.”

The Events Development Team work extremely hard securing exhibitors and trade stands and sponsors who pay to enjoy the commercial benefits that Airbourne gives them. Furthermore the souvenir programme not only gives valuable and exciting information about the event it generates a significant income towards the costs involved in hosting the international airshow.

Unable to obtain sponsorship for last year’s airshow, the council tax payer had to contribute towards staging the event. This year that cost has been shifted so that those who attend the airshow are charged a minimal amount.

Tickets for this year’s Airbourne are priced at £5 per person per day but with Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers available soon, visitors can get tickets for just £2.50.

The charged area will run from the Beachy Head side of Eastbourne Pier to the end of the Western Lawns with a fence marking the area.

With top flying displays already secured for 2008, including crowd favourite, the Red Arrows wowing the crowds over 3 days, plus the RAF Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano and Tutor celebrating 90 years of the RAF, visitors are in for a jam-packed 4 days in August.

Visitors are being encouraged to book their tickets in advance to guarantee their prime viewing space when Airbourne returns from 14-17 August 2008.

Tickets go on sale from 23 June. For more information on how to get tickets for this year’s airshow visit www.visiteastbourne.com or www.eastbourneairshow.co.uk , or telephone 0871 663 0031.

Tags: 2008, Airbourne, Airshow, Eastbourne, News