Saturday, October 5, 2024

Warbirds over Wanaka

Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow is coming back next Easter – six years after the last edition of this internationally recognised event.

Both the 2020 and 2022 Wanaka airshows were forced to cancel because of Covid and if early ticket sales are anything to go by there is huge pent-up demand from fans across New Zealand and the world to see this amazing event take to the skies once again.

Warbirds Over Wanaka is a bucket-list event which was the brainchild of Wanaka businessman and Warbird fan Sir Tim Wallis who, along with his brother George, organised the first airshow back in 1988.

Organisers have already started announcing displays including a world-first 12-ship display from the NZ Red Stars Yak-52 aerobatic team. Other aircraft confirmed include an ex-RNZAF P-51 Mustang which will fly for the first time in 67 years at Wanaka. The usual other suspects such as the Spitfire, P-40 Kittyhawk and the Roaring 40s Harvards are also coming back. Plus there are a number of very exciting displays which organisers are still finalising that will take this terrific event to the next level.

The airshow will also feature displays of modern military aircraft from the RNZAF who have displayed at every Wanaka airshow along with foreign airforces such as RAAF and USAF.

The aerial action is backed up by a wide range of ground displays including for the first time a “Future of Aviation” exhibition which will include the likes of NZ’s first electric aircraft, an autonomous electric air taxi and Air NZ’s plans for future aircraft.

Tickets to Warbirds Over Wanaka are available via Ticketek website – www.ticketek.co.nz

Ticket options still available include GA, Silver Pass and Gold Pass options. If you are after a seat then the best options are either a 3-day or 1-day Silver Pass which guarantees you a seat in the Silver Pass Grandstand or the 3-day only Gold Pass which gets you access to the Gold Pass marquee and grandstand seats plus your Gold Pass pack which includes a souvenir programme and Gold Pass cap.

The Gold Pass will sell out before the airshow and there may only be Sunday or Friday Silver passes remaining so if you want a great seat book NOW and we’ll see you next Easter.

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