Q:- Why has AIRSHOW UK disbanded
A:
The big increase in operational costs in recent years, and, a bigger projected increase in 2009 for coach hire, Hotel charges and airshow admission prices, means that the fares would have had to be significantly increased.
We have always attempted to give our customers “outstanding value for money”. First class modern Executive coaches, first class Hotels, and a first class service are the standards we always tried to achieve. Taking into consideration the economic climate ( which has got worse since we made our decision last September), the fares we would have had to charge, without a drop in standards, would have made it harder to fill coaches. Underlining this is the news that the RAF participation at airshows in 2009 is to be considerably reduced, e.g. the exciting “Role Demonstration” is to be dropped. Could this be the beginning of the end for airshows as we’ve known them ?
Over the past 17 years we’ve carried thousands of passengers via land, air and sea to many, many airshows. We’ve chartered the fabulous DC3 Dakota for no less than 40 flights. They included our “famous” Champagne Charters, plus flights to RAF Fairford, Duxford, Wroughton and Biggin Hill airshows, and, flights over the Tall Ships Parade of Sail. Perhaps the most memorable of them, were the charter of two Dakotas from Air Atlantique to fly in formation in 1995 to/from Duxford for the VE DAY 50th Anniversary Airshow ….. a truly memorable day and it was one of 5, half-hour features recorded for BBC Radio Merseyside by Monty Lister. Then that last Dakota ‘sortie’ in 2007. It was another outstanding Champagne Charter, lasting over 100 minutes, during which we flew in glorious weather down to South Wales, over The Brecon Beacons, to “buzz” the Severn Bridge ….. all at low level. Great memories indeed !!
We chartered a Manx Airlines 68-seater ATP to fly to/from Liverpool for the last airshow at RAF Finningley in 1994, as well as taking 122 passengers in two executive coaches. The 50th Anniversary of the United States Air Force saw us take no less than 5 (yes five) full coaches to RAF Mildenhall for a very special airshow !! The THUNDERBIRDS, B2 Spirit Stealth Bomber, the B1b “Bone”, the B52 Bomber, F117a Stealth Fighter and “THE REDS”, to mention just but a few in an outstanding flying display.
Four times we crossed over to France for the Paris Airshow, and even included visits to Disneyland Paris in our itinerary. The excellent Hotels at London Heathrow (what superb views of the main runway), and Dundee, provided VERY popular venues for the 3-day package tours we operated for 10 years or more. Again, great memories, great nights out, and great atmospheres generated by friendships forged over the years. Only two real disappointments of note. Sadly in 2007 we arrived at RAF Waddington to find that the show was cancelled due to a water-logged airfield. Last year the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford also was washed out by monsoon-like weather, the first time in 38 years that the show failed to go ahead, but at least we were notified in time to save a wasted journey.
The friendships made, and those memories created during our travels, will I’m certain, be the “legacy” AIRSHOW UK leaves behind. On behalf of “TEAM AIRSHOW UK”, I would like to thank ALL of our patrons who’ve travelled with us over the years, some having travelled regularly from our very first venture on Easter Sunday 1992. You have ALL contributed to the success of AIRSHOW UK, an organisation I’m proud to say established a “respected reputation” throughout Merseyside and the North West.
I personally wish to thank my loyal long-term friends and ‘Stewards’ , Dave ‘Spud’ Metcalf, and Alan ‘Chicken-legs’ Nicholson for their outstanding work on, and off the coaches, and others who’ve helped. In particular my thanks to son Ed for his support, ideas and brilliant website designs over the years, many of you having complimented him on his efforts, including the excellent Photo Galleries he’s composed from our joint works. The high standards of efficiency provided by our coach suppliers is also recognised, as is the contributions and ‘personalities’ of our coach drivers who virtually became “adopted” members of TEAM AIRSHOW UK.
Thank you all once again for your valued support and friendship. I’ll miss the banter, and our tours together ….. what the heck am I going to do with myself now, but I’m sure I’ll see lots of you at future airshows ….. looks like I’ll have to invest in a “Sat-Nav” !!
This site will remain open during 2009, so you can still access the various airshow websites to find out what's appearing etc., and several other links such as the RED ARROWS website. In due course Ed will be putting together a Photo Gallery spanning the past 17 years, so look out for that, as there may be several “team-photos” you might like to down-load .
Cheers folks, have a good 2009.
Eddie Evans
***** STOP PRESS !! *****
For those of you who’ve been kind enough to ask after Ed’s progress re his weight-loss surgery, and those who’ve know him over the years, I’ve got excellent news for you. Following the successes of the two big ops, his progress has been excellent, and recently he’s been selected by a TV production company for a “make-over”. The finished programme called “Extreme Male Beauty” goes out in April on Chanel 4 at a 10pm slot, on a date to be confirmed. Can’t give anything away, except to say that it looks like being a very good documentary, and is a well deserved reward for a brilliant guy who’s had to deal with some ‘bad’ cards life has dealt him over the past 16 years or so. I’m so very proud of him. So thanks once again folks for your support for Ed, he has appreciated it very much.
When the broadcast date is confirmed, we’ll post it here - but it is anticipated to be 28th May 10pm on Channel 4.