Jet Ready, Set, Go! The countdown is officially over, with the much-anticipated Pacific Airshow set to hit the skies of the Gold Coast today.
The three-day event is being labelled as one of the biggest events to hit our shores since the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Pacific Airshow will feature spectacular aerobatic demonstrations by the world’s finest aviators over the skies of Surfers Paradise, as well as host a major event space with hospitality, live music and entertainment.
General Admission ticket sales are sold out for Saturday and Sunday, with only limited VIP tickets available.
However, don’t let that stop you from heading down to take it all in, as anyone can view it for free on the foreshore of Surfers Paradise beach.
Event Director Kevin Elliott says he’s so excited for what Gold Coasters and visitors are about to experience.
“I am grateful that the community has taken a chance and wants to come out and see what this first year event is all about, and I hope that our team delivers. We’ve certainly worked hard to do so,” Mr Elliott says.
“We’ve certainly worked hard to do. So if we’re lucky enough to be able to have a sell-out all three days, obviously that’s the best-case scenario for us. Our goal is to make sure that everybody who comes has a really good experience and that they love the event and they go and tell ten of their friends.”
Mayor Tom Tate was treated to an aerobatics flight in a Marchetti Jet this week, hitting speeds of up to 700km/hr.
“When you sign up for something like Pacific Air Show, you got to expect your adrenaline to be pumping,” Mayor Tate says.
“So when they say, ‘Do you want to go up and do a bit of acrobatic in the sky’… Well, we’re up for it. We’re Gold Coasters. We have a go!”
IMAGE: Supplied
Major Events Gold Coast CEO Jan McCormick has believed in the event since day one, saying she knew it was destined to be a perfect event for the Gold Coast.
“We started this journey in November 2019 and to have it here now is incredibly exciting,” Ms McCormick says.
“It’s going to really open up the skies and the eyes of everyone on the Gold Coast. And all the visitors are in town already. The beaches are full and it’s just a wonderful experience. We’re really, really excited about it,
“I just think that the general buzz around town and even locals coming in are going to be feeding the economy. This event finishes around 430pm, then everyone will just feed into Surfers Paradise and enjoy everything from time zone to shopping to bars, restaurants and so on.”
Visitation numbers to the Gold Coast are sitting strong with around 72% of hotels booked out, and that doesn’t count Airbnb’s or private apartment bookings.
Accor Hotels, which run 27 hotels across the Gold Coast are sitting at 80%+ vacancies.
