The return of a Red Deer airshow was a high-flying success.
More than 25,000 people attended the Red Deer Regional Airshow and an estimated $2.5 million was pumped into the local economy.
“It was a great year for the airport,” said CEO Graham in December. “Obviously, the airshow was well received and it was really exciting.
“It’s really nice to put something like that on for the community and everyone really enjoyed it.
“We are committed to hosting another one in 2025, so next year will be a big planning session to see what that (airshow) looks like.”
The July 29-30 event also generated $517,000 in revenue and $165,000 in profit for the airport, which will go towards funding future projects.
Also benefiting from the airshow were Red Deer Food Bank, Harvard Historical Aviation Society and Junior Forest Wardens, who will share $12,500 generated through the Props and Pistons Show and Shine as well as other airshow activities.
The return of the airshow after a two-decade absence exceeded organizers’ expectations and it is hoped it will set the stage for the event to become an annual or biannual attraction beginning in 2025.
While the plan was to stage a show next year, Royal Canadian Air Force’s centennial celebrations meant most of the most popular draws would not be available. Rather than produce a scaled-down show, the airport decided to delay the next show until 2025.
Nancy Paish, airport director of business development and communications, said before the event was held they estimated a complete sell-out would be around 30,000 people.
“We didn’t know if we were going to get there this year but we were really thankful that we got really close,” said Paish.
The results show that there is significant local support for a regularly scheduled airshow.
“Whether it’s annual or biannual, it’s another opportunity for a diversified revenue stream for the airport.”
Making a tidy profit was also a big bonus. Since there will not be an airshow next year the money will be invested in hiring consultants to do a passenger demand survey to build the case for luring an ultra-low-cost air carrier, a prime goal for the airport.