Date

Friday, 3 March 2023

Release

EXCITING NEW FORMAT AND RE-BRANDING FOR POPULAR EVENT

Shellharbour City Council’s annual airshow event will be expanded and re-branded, promising to be bigger and better than ever.

Previously known as Wings Over Illawarra, the event will now be known as Airshows Downunder – Shellharbour.

AMDA Foundation Limited will partner with Council through a 10-year licence agreement and plans to hold a three-day event biennially, starting from March 2024.

Shellharbour City Council CEO Mike Archer said Council was thrilled to partner with AMDA, a highly experienced organisation that would take the highly successful airshow to the next level.

“AMDA’s expertise and experience in the aviation industry will help transform the city’s airshow into a nationally and internationally significant aviation event,” Mr Archer said.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring even more people to Shellharbour City, further cementing our local government area as a top tourism destination.

Airshows Downunder – Shellharbour will have a significant positive economic impact on the local economy.

“A larger airshow has the potential to increase visitation and revenue generation for local businesses and raise the profile of Shellharbour as a key travel destination in the overnight visitor economy.

“Additionally, a larger airshow would further highlight Shellharbour Airport as a destination for aviation enthusiasts and businesses across the industry, potentially leading to increased investment in the airport and the surrounding area,” he said.

Mr Archer said AMDA was highly experienced organisation renowned for delivering world-class aviation events, including the Avalon Airshow which has been held biennially since 1992 at the Avalon Airport in Geelong, Victoria.

The Avalon Airshow is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere and the largest in Australia, attracting more than 170,000 attendees including a significant industry exhibition.

AMDA is also to develop and expand the industry side of Airshows Downunder – Shellharbour, with the aim of facilitating industry engagement.

AMDA Foundation CEO Justin Giddings said that Wings Over Illawarra had built an excellent reputation as an event for the general aviation and light sport aviation community in Australia.

“It has an exciting airshow covering the breadth of vintage, warbird and modern aviation and a highly regarded careers and skills day to help attract the next generation,” Mr Giddings said.

“It also provides an important means of promoting general aviation to the general public.

“AMDA Foundation intends to build on that and create an event that promotes the Australian general aviation industry, while providing an exciting airshow for all the family,” he said.

AMDA is an Australian not-for-profit corporation established to promote the development of aviation and Australia’s industrial, manufacturing and information technology resources in the fields of aviation, aerospace, maritime, defence and security.

Media enquiries:

  • Shellharbour City Council - Kelli Wells 0448 361 008
  • AMDA Foundation Limited – Phillip Smart 0438 311 644
Last updated : Tue 7 Mar 2023