Sunderland airshow cancelled
Organisers have confirmed Sunderland Airshow has been grounded for a second consecutive year as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the airshow was grounded for the first time in 32 years with hopes the event, which sees hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city, would go ahead in 2021.
The airshow was scheduled to take place from July 23 to July 25, 2021, but organisers have now confirmed the event along the city’s seafront will not go ahead.
Fiona Brown, Executive Director of Neighbourhoods, said: "Following careful consideration, we have taken the decision to cancel Sunderland Airshow this year.
"We understand that this news will be disappointing, not only for visitors, but for everyone who works to make Sunderland Airshow a success.
"The safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors is paramount.
“And we must continue to do everything we can to support the coronavirus recovery
in the city.
"We look forward to welcoming everyone back to our award-winning seafront in 2022."
Hundreds of thousands of spectators usually attend the summer event, with aerial displays by the RAF’s Red Arrows team among regular highlights.
It is estimated about 400,000 turned out for 2019’s edition of the airshow, pumping more than £5million into the Wearside economy.
In February, the Government unveiled its roadmap to easing lockdown restrictions which could potentially mean big events may be able to go ahead by the summer months.
However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there must be at least five weeks between each step and if the analysis of the data requires a delay for one step – all future steps will be delayed.
On Monday, the second set of restrictions will be eased allowing non-essential retailers, outdoor pubs and restaurants, gyms and hair salons to reopen for the first time since January.
Council discussions have been taking place to decide which events in the city will be able to go ahead this year.
The director of public health has urged people to avoid busy shops and outdoor bars when they reopen in a few days.