Airshow weekend 'brings £5m boost' to Torbay trade
The third and final day of the event took place on Sunday, with aircraft including the Red Arrows and RAF Typhoon Display Team taking to the skies above Paignton Green.
Thousands of people have attended the free event during the three days it has been on, which has helped bring at least £5m of trade to Torbay, according to English Riviera Business Improvement District chief executive Carolyn Custerson.
She said the financial boost the event had given the area meant it was in a "good position" for the future.
Ms Custerson said: "The airshow is going to be worth at least £5m to Torbay's visitor economy and we see a great return on investment.
"For every pound we invest, we see £15 returned.
"So we've got now in a good position to take the event forward."
More news stories for Devon
Listen to the latest news for Devon
Traders who set up stalls at the airshow said it had been a "phenomenal" weekend with the large crowds attending.
James Guthrie, from Torbay Gin, said: "We did strong sales on Saturday and the crowds were just wooed by the Red Arrows and the Typhoon that came in.
"It was a great day for business."
Councillor Jackie Thomas, cabinet member for tourism, culture and events at Torbay Council, said holding such an event when other airshows, such as Bournemouth and Teignmouth, were either not happening or unlikely to happen this year due to funding issues was a big boost.
"We have managed to keep going and you can see what a spectacular event that we have produced," she added.
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Thousands flock to action-packed day at airshow
Airshow pilots looking to 'give something back'
Devon's English Riviera Airshow set for take off
English Riviera Airshow
English Riviera BID
Torbay Council
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Vital charity could be forced to close branch in Bournemouth
A VITAL charity could be forced to close in Bournemouth after the organisation has said its current business model is 'not sustainable'. Samaritans is consulting with branches and will be closing around 100 of its more than 200 locations across the UK and Republic of Ireland as early as April next year. The UK-based charity that provides confidential, emotional support to anyone struggling to cope, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, insisted its volunteers will continue to be available as usual. The Bournemouth branch has been open since 1961 and was the sixth branch to open outside of Central London. In 2024, volunteers in Bournemouth responded to more than 18,000 calls and around 7,000 emails. The charity's chief executive Julie Bentley said: 'We are engaging with our volunteers on proposed improvements that will mean we are able to answer more calls, have more volunteers on duty, and be there for more people in their darkest moments." She added it had "become increasingly clear" having over 200 branches is "not sustainable" and is preventing the charity from providing the best possible service. If you are struggling, you can call Samaritans for free on 116 123, email them at jo@ or visit to find your nearest branch.

4 days ago
Turkey and Britain sign preliminary deal for Eurofighter Typhoon jets
ANKARA, Turkey -- ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkey and Britain on Wednesday signed a preliminary agreement for the sale of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey, a significant step in Ankara's efforts to modernize its air fleet. Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler and his British counterpart, John Healey, inked a memorandum of understanding during a defense industry fair in Istanbul, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense said. NATO member Turkey has long aimed to buy 40 Eurofighter jets, which are built by a consortium of British, German and Italian companies. Germany reportedly initially opposed the sale but later reversed its position. Britain led negotiations on behalf of the consortium. A Turkish defense ministry statement said the memorandum takes the two countries 'one step closer to a full agreement on the Typhoon.' 'Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkey into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible,' it added. Turkish officials have said that they are still negotiating over pricing and technical terms, saying that they have received an initial offer and expect to submit a counter-proposal. Turkey is also seeking to return to the U.S.-led F-35 fighter jet program, from which the country was ousted in 2019, following its purchase of Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems. The U.S. said the systems posed a risk to the F-35s. Turkey is also developing a domestic fifth-generation fighter jet, the KAAN, which is slated to be operational in 2028.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Healey signs agreement paving way for export of Typhoon jets to Turkey
The Defence Secretary has signed an agreement paving the way for the export of Typhoon fighter jets to Turkey. John Healey and Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler signed a memorandum of understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. It comes after the German government reportedly cleared the path for the delivery of 40 Typhoon Eurofighter jets to Turkey. 'Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets,' Mr Healey said. 'It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. 'Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen Nato's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.' More than a third of each aircraft will be manufactured in the UK, with final assembly taking place at the BAE Systems site in Lancashire. The Typhoon jet programme is a partnership with Germany, Spain and Italy. Germany's security council has signed off on a Turkish request to buy the jets, which will use German parts, Der Spiegel reported, and has informed Turkish and Greek leaders of the decision. The programme supports 20,000 jobs in the UK. The RAF's own fleet of Typhoons is being upgraded over the next 15 years.