Upcoming airshow postponed until next summer

Manston Airport has committed to hosting the airshow when it returns in 2026

Organisers of an airshow in Kent have made the last-minute decision to postpone the event until next summer.

The Manston International Airshow was due to begin on 16 August, but will now take place in June 2026.

Organiser Bill Giles said it followed extensive discussions between the Flying Display Committee and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regarding "possible additional requirements over and above the statutory safety regulations surrounding airshows".

He said that while the CAA had approved its plans, the late conclusion of talks had left insufficient time to finalise them "to a satisfactory level".

Ticket holders will be able to apply for a full refund or defer their tickets to next year's event online.

Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex (KSS) and Brain Tumour Research were to be the charity partners of the 2025 event, had it gone ahead. They will now be beneficiaries of the 2026 show instead.

Organisers added that RiverOak Strategic Partnership, which owns and runs Manston Airport, had confirmed its commitment to supporting the airshow when it returned.