It may still be a year away but the next Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow can’t come soon enough for tens of thousands of airshow fans around the world.

By the time the Easter 2024 event rolls around it will have been six years between Wānaka airshows, and organisers are making sure it’s a show to remember with amazing pyrotechnics, Warhorse re-enactor groups, a wide variety of privately owned Warbird aircraft, and much more planned. 

One fan who can’t wait to return next year is 74-year-old Ross Birnie from Sydney.

“I came to my first Wānaka airshow back in 1998 and have been back every two years since, except of course for the last two shows which were canned,” Ross said.

“After just one day of that first airshow my mate and I agreed that we would be back in 2000 and we’d be getting Gold Passes up in the big grandstand.  

“Over the years it has become a significant part of my life in a way and now my wife Terri joins me and we have a great time enjoying the airshow and the wider Wānaka region.”

Ross says in the early days there were lots of aircraft you would see at Wānaka that you couldn’t see in Australia and while that has changed a bit over the years, Wānaka keeps calling him back. 

He has already booked his trip for next Easter.

New Plymouth-based pilot Fay Emeny is also eagerly awaiting next year’s show.

She has been waiting four years to make her Wānaka debut as a member of the world-class Yak-52 aerobatic team.

“I had my first flight in a Yak-52 at the age of 15 and flew it often after that,” she said. 

“After working on my career, getting married and having a family I was finally in a position to return to formation flying in 2019 with the aim of making my debut in the Yak team at Warbirds Over Wānaka 2020,” she said.

Covid-19 put those plans on hold but she’s ready and waiting for next year’s show.

“Flying in the team at Wānaka next year, alongside my dad and the other amazing pilots in the team, will definitely be a dream come true,” Fay said.

Tickets for Warbirds Over Wānaka International Airshow 2024 will go on sale on June 29, and the airshow will be held on Easter Weekend (March 29-31) 2024.

PHOTOS: Supplied