No longer cleared for take-off! Aviation spectacular at Leeds East Airport is cancelled

A major aviation event due to be held in Yorkshire this summer has been cancelled.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th May 2016, 16:16 BST
Updated 18th May 2016, 17:21 BST
A display team in action at last year's event.A display team in action at last year's event.
A display team in action at last year's event.

Organisers today said they were “incredibly disappointed” that the Great Yorkshire AirFest 2016 would not be going ahead as planned.

The event was scheduled to take place on the weekend of July 2 and 3 at Leeds East Airport, formerly RAF Church Fenton.

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It was first staged in September last year at the same venue and attracted nearly 20,000 people.

Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.
Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.

Slow ticket sales and new Civil Aviation Authority regulations are among the factors being blamed for the axing of the show.

A spokesman said: “We are incredibly disappointed to cancel this year’s Great Yorkshire AirFest.

“This year has been challenging for everyone involved in the air show community as we’ve seen from the number of UK shows which have been postponed or cancelled.

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“At all times, our priority has been to host a safe and entertaining show for all visitors.

Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.
Visitors keep their eyes on the skies at the 2015 show.

“Despite the great efforts and hard work from all the AirFest team, running a viable event for 2016 will be incredibly difficult.

“We’d like to thank everyone who has supported the AirFest in 2016 and hope to be back in the future.”

People who have bought tickets are being reassured that they will receive full refunds.

For further information, e-mail [email protected].

Related topics:OrganisersYorkshirePeople