The Red Arrows headline 25th Anniversary Sunderland Airshow

SUNDERLAND International Airshow is celebrating its 25th anniversary in style with The Red Arrows due to top the bill for the opening event.

The airshow, organised by Sunderland Live on behalf of Sunderland City Council, is now in its 25th year and regularly attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators to the city’s coastline at Roker and Seaburn.

Starting with a spectacular launch party at Cliffe Park on the evening of Friday 26 July, this year’s event is held over the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 July.

For the first time The Red Arrows are scheduled to get the event off the ground on the Friday with a rare evening display. The RAF’s premier display team will also open the flying display on Saturday 27.

Chris Alexander, Chief Operating Officer of Sunderland Live, said “It will be the first time that we have had The Red Arrows for a display on the Friday evening. They will be a great addition to the launch party along with further flying displays, live music and fireworks.”

Councillor John Kelly, Portfolio Holder for Public Health, Wellness and Culture added: “The Red Arrows are regarded as one of the world’s premier aerobatic teams and it’s great to hear that they’re to once again join in our celebrations,

“Our airshow has developed over the 25 years it has been running and is now recognised as one of the biggest free airshows in Europe.”

Appearing at dozens of airshows and events across the world every year, the team first appeared at the Sunderland International Airshow in 1992 the same year Sunderland became a city. Display timings for The Red Arrows and all airshow attractions will be confirmed nearer to the weekend.

Following the opening event, the airshow continues across the weekend between 10am and 6pm with a full programme of activity in the air and on the ground.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SCHEDULE AND LINE-UP CLICK HERE