Swansea Bay played host to one of the UK’s biggest free outdoor events this weekend, as the Wales Airshow returned with two days of aerial spectacle and family entertainment—drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city.
Following Saturday’s packed programme of flying displays and ground attractions, Sunday continued the momentum with clear skies and a celebratory atmosphere. Highlights included breathtaking performances from the RAF Red Arrows, Typhoon Display Team, and a host of vintage and stunt aircraft that thrilled crowds lining the seafront.
New for 2025, the Royal Navy’s Fleet Squadron Area Diving Group made a splash with their interactive Dive Tank display, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the high-risk world of mine clearance diving.
Organised by Swansea Council, the event featured a wide range of ground-based activities, including live music, simulators, food stalls, and military exhibitions stretching from the Civic Centre to Brynmill Lane.
(Images: Swansea Council)
Councillor Robert Francis-Davies, Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration, Events and Tourism, hailed the weekend as a triumph for the city:
“As one of the highlights of the annual Swansea events calendar, the airshow was a huge success, continuing to support the city’s reputation as a top-class destination for major events. The stars of the free-entry show included the hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoyed a day out or a weekend in Swansea. The family atmosphere resulted in a great weekend, and Saturday’s rain didn’t dampen the mood.”
He also thanked residents and businesses for their patience during road closures, and praised council staff, emergency services, sponsors, and partners for helping deliver a “top-quality showcase for the city.”
The airshow is estimated to contribute millions of pounds to the local economy, with hotels, restaurants, and traders reporting strong footfall across the weekend.
With the final aircraft touching down and road closures lifting, attention now turns to the next major event on Swansea’s summer calendar: IRONMAN 70.3 Swansea, which returns on Saturday, July 13.
