High-flying event great while it lasted
It was a case of ‘‘rolling with the punches’’ as one of the most successful Wings Over Wairarapa airshows was cut short by the unexpected Covid-19 alert level restrictions coming into force yesterday.
The Masterton-based biennial event was blessed by perfect weather, huge crowds and superstar aircraft appearances, but the third and final day was not to be.
Airshow chairman Bob Francis said the team was gutted, but they could also reflect on what was an amazing show with close to record numbers on Friday and Saturday, and a never-seen-beforein-New-Zealand B-52 flypast.
‘‘We were very disappointed to make this call but the health and safety of all our team, volunteers, ticket holders, pilots and exhibitors is paramount.
‘‘However what a magnificent two days of the air festival we had,’’ he said.
Refunds were available for ticketholders affected by yesterday’s cancellation.
Francis said although losing a day was a financial blow, it was survivable and the event was fortunate to receive $200,000 in Covid-19 event funding which had given them the confidence to go ahead despite the risks.
It was estimated around 8000 people attended Wings on Friday with a further 15,000 on Saturday.
Pilots and crews were packing up at Hood Aerodrome in Masterton yesterday getting ready to head back to their respective bases around New Zealand.
Supermarine Spitfire owner Brendon Deere said he felt sorry for the organisers to lose a day. ‘‘The weather gods have co-operated and the Covid gods didn’t.’’
Motorhome owner Paul Lewis of Nelson planned to stay for the entire event and although disappointed by the Government’s decision to change alert levels, he said the airshow was still a success.
‘‘We’ve got the best of it, and we were more than happy.’’
Lewis had been to airshows across New Zealand and around the world and said Wings Over Wairarapa was up there with the best of them.