Torbay Airshow brought £5 million to local businesses last year

Council put in £100,000

Torbay is set to cash in on millions of pounds worth of business as the English Riviera Airshow celebrates its 10th birthday.

The three days of displays and events are estimated to have brought at least £5million of business to the bay in 2025, and the 2026 programme hopes to top that.

Cllr Jackie Thomas (Con, Kings Ash), who is Torbay Council’s cabinet member for tourism, culture and events, said: “Reaching the 10-year milestone is a remarkable achievement for the English Riviera Airshow. At a time when many similar events across the country have struggled to continue, we’ve not only kept the show flying but have grown it year on year.”

Industry experts say the show generates around £15 in income for local businesses for every pound spent on it.

The show cost £285,000 to stage in 2025, and Torbay Council put in £100,000 of that. Figures published by the council showed that the event made an overall loss, but only of £33,000.

The event had been losing hundreds of thousands of pounds in its earlier years, a situation the council said could not continue. In recent years more emphasis has been placed on corporate sponsorship from local businesses.

Organisers are hoping that the RAF Red Arrows will headline the show as usual, but the crack aerobatic team has yet to publish its 2026 calendar of displays.

This year’s show takes place from May 29 to 31, with a repeat of last year’s Friday evening ‘Take-Off’ event on the bill. Last year fireworks, live music and a Spitfire flypast got the show under way on the opening evening.

The weekend will feature a full programme of displays as well as entertainment and activities on the ground. Paignton Green will once again be the focus of the event.

Cllr Thomas went on: “The success of this event is thanks to the unwavering support of the English Riviera BID Company, our sponsors, and the generous local businesses who continue to rally behind us.

“It’s never without its challenges, but the enthusiasm and backing from our community make it all worthwhile. If you can support the event, please do get in touch with the team.”

Carolyn Custerson, the chief executive of the English Riviera BID Company, added: “The English Riviera Airshow alone generates around £5million for the local economy, which is why the English Riviera BID Company is proud to fully support this flagship event.