The Westcliff Casino Southend Airshow usually takes place in May and is one of Europe's largest free airshows with more than half a million people lining the town's seven-mile shore over the two day spectacular.
This two-day event which usually takes place on a Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday includes a good mixture in the flying display including modern RAF & RN participation along with display teams, aerobatic aircraft, and historic aircraft. There is also plenty of entertainment taking place on the ground with various displays and demonstrations.
Most of the aircraft that display at Southend operate out of London Southend Airport at Rochford and the airport has Open Days during the Southend Airshow so that people can see the aircraft at close quarters. These Open Days attract many thousands of people to the airport and its resident Vulcan (XL426) can usually be seen on both days doing a taxi-run.
Click here to visit the Westcliff Casino Southend Airshow website.
2010 AIRSHOWS
30-31 May
Southend Airshow
The two day Festival of the Air is undoubtedly the most spectacular event in Southend's calendar. Southend was the first seaside resort in the country to stage an Airshow and it's become one of Europe's largest FREE events of its kind, regulary attracting over half a million people to the seafront over the weekend.
Whilst the skies over the Thames Estuary are filled with roaring and buzzing of fast jets as they zoom and flit at lightning speed, or formation aerobatic teams mesmerise the crowd with their manoeuvres, there's a non-stop action packed entertainment programme that stretches for two miles on the ground. Southend's Festival of the Air is a fun day out for all the family.
Regardless of whether you are a flying enthusiast or not, there will be plenty for everyone at this year's Festival of the Air. Around 40 aircraft displays will be featured from across the ages, including displays from the RAF, Army and Civilian aircraft.
A huge range of ground entertainment will be provided back on terra firma at this year's Festival of the Air. From 10:00am to 6:00pm on both days, not only will there be amazing aerial displays, but there will be the RAF, Army, Navy and Royal Marine Town Shows, trade stands, rides, simulators, giant inflatable's and a packed arena programme of entertainment, to keep all of the family amused all day long.
BBC Essex will again be bringing you Radio Airshow on 1530MW, as well as providing the live commentary along the seafront, and Southend Radio and Heart FM will be providing live entertainment both days with music Roadshows.
Provisional Participating aircraft at Southend Airshow 2010:
Click here to visit the Westcliff Casino Southend Airshow website.
Arriving by Road:
From the North via A1, M11, M25 & A127 (M25 Junction 29, 20 miles). From the South via M25, Dartford Tunnel, A13 (M25 Junction 30, 26 miles) or A127. Once in Southend follow the directional signs for Airshow Parking. Within Southend there are in excess of 10,000 parking spaces.
London Southend Airport
The famous Southend Airshow is one of the most popular and spectacular taking place over the sea and in front of crowds along the seafront, either side of Southend Pier.
The airshow takes place over the weekend of 30-31 may and is free of charge.
Usually the London Southend airport will open to allow enthusiasts the chance to get close to the parked display aircraft. There is usually food/drink facilities, the chance to see inside the Vulcan cockpit or take a ride in a helicopter.
The Westcliff Casino Southend Airshow usually takes place in May and is one of Europe's largest free airshows with more than half a million people lining the town's seven-mile shore over the two day spectacular.
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