Warbirds Over Wānaka has canceled the biannual airshow for the second time in two years.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust chairman John Gilks said the board of trustees were left with no option but to cancel after Sunday’s announcement that New Zealand was moving into the red traffic light setting.

“The government has indicated that the country will remain in red for weeks so we cannot continue to plan for an airshow,” John said. “The health and safety of the amazing team which delivers Warbirds Over Wanaka and all our visitors is paramount.”

The airshow was due to take place between April 15-17.

Pilots flying Vampire aircrafts at Warbird Over Wānaka in 2018, the last time the airshow was held. PHOTO: Brian Greenwood

“We know this will be a huge blow for all those people who have worked hard to pull this event together, especially following on from the disappointment of being one of the first major events in New Zealand to cancel because of Covid back in March 2020,” John said.

“It is also going to be upsetting for the thousands of people who have already bought tickets and were looking forward to the enjoyment our event brings so many.”

Ticket holders will be offered full refunds for the event and Ticketek will be in touch with individuals to arrange this.

The airshow traditionally attracts some 55,000 people to Wanaka over three days and injects more than $40M into the Southern Lakes regional economy.

John said he was also disappointed for the businesses in Wānaka and further afield who benefit from the airshow.

“We know they were upset when we cancelled back in 2020 and they were looking to our event this Easter as a major financial boost given the tough times they have faced over the past almost two years,” he said.

He said he hoped the decision to cancel right after the alert level announcement would give accommodation providers and other businesses more time to make alternative plans to recover business lost as a result of the cancellation.

A huge effort goes into organising a big event like Warbirds, John said.

“Our small management team is backed up by hundreds of aircraft owners, pilots, volunteers, contractors, suppliers and exhibitors, along with our funders and sponsors, to deliver what is regarded as one of the world’s best Warbirds airshows.”

The 2022 Airshow was also to have been a major part of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s 85th Anniversary celebrations and at least two international air forces were planning to be in Wānaka  to join in the celebrations, bringing aircraft which had never been seen in the country before.

The next Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is planned for Easter 2024.