The Huntington beach City Council voted overwhelmingly to approve an agreement to keep the city’s marquis event, the annual Pacific Airshow, in Surf City for the next 25 years. The vote marks a new era for the popular event.
The Pacific Airshow will continue to call Huntington Beach home under a new long-term agreement approved between the city and Pacific Airshow, LLC, ensuring the popular annual event remains a centerpiece of the local calendar for at least another decade.
The deal grants Pacific Airshow exclusive rights to stage its multiday aviation showcase in Huntington Beach through December 2035. The agreement also includes the option for three five-year extensions, potentially keeping the event in the city until 2050.
The event has grown into the largest airshow in the United States by attendance since its debut in 2016. A 2022 study by Visit Huntington Beach estimated the airshow generates more than $120 million in annual economic benefit, including $70 million in direct spending at local businesses and $50 million in indirect and induced spending.
City officials said the agreement not only secures a world-class event but also helps showcase Huntington Beach to a global audience while bolstering tourism, aviation awareness, and the local economy.
In addition to aerial performances, the event may feature boat races, on-sand entertainment, and multi-day music festivals.
Under the terms, Huntington Beach will cover the cost of environmental reviews required by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for the first 10 years. The city will also provide Pacific Airshow with exclusive use of public parking and RV camping spaces during the event, including additional days for setup and teardown.
Pacific Airshow will shoulder responsibility for all event operations and costs, including logistics, staffing, equipment, promotion, and cleanup. The organization must obtain all required permits and licenses, maintain high-level insurance, and ensure that participants sign liability waivers protecting the city. It is also required to develop safety and evacuation plans in coordination with the city’s Unified Command and to provide Huntington Beach with promotional opportunities, including booth space, signage, and logo placement.
Beginning in 2030, the city will retain $10 per car space and $100 per RV space, with the rates adjusted annually for inflation. Until then, the revenue from parking and camping will go to Pacific Airshow. The city also agreed to waive all fees normally associated with public safety, permits, beach maintenance, utilities, and road closures, and to staff the parking areas at its own expense. In addition, the city will defend Pacific Airshow against any CEQA-related legal challenges.
“The Airshow is the most powerful economic windfall the city has,” Huntington Beach resident Rick Brown told the council.
“But beyond the numbers, the Pacific Airshow has elevated Huntington Beach’s profile worldwide,” said Brown. “It showcases our beach, our community and our ability to host world-class events, and draws visitors who might never come to Huntington Beach.”
This year’s event is spans three days from October 3 through October 5. Headlining the program will be the Thunderbirds, the storied air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force.
Also on the scheduled line-up:
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds — Canada’s famous aerobatic team, known for tight formations and graceful precision flight.
US Air Force F-35A Demo — An advanced fifth-generation stealth fighter jet performing high-intensity demo passes.
Aaron Fitzgerald: Red Bull BO-105 Aerobatic Helicopter — Solo helicopter aerobatics by Aaron Fitzgerald using the nimble BO-105.
Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team (UK) — UK’s elite parachute team delivering freefall displays with precision and flair.
Anthony Oshinuga: Pitts S-1 — High energy aerobatic routines in the classic Pitts S-1 biplane.
US Air Force KC-135 Demo Team — Flying one of the Air Force’s key tanker aircraft, demonstrating its range and capabilities.
Torrey Ward: The Subsonex Microjet — Jet aerobatics in a personal microjet, showcasing speed and agility.
US Navy EA-18G Growler Airshow Team — The Navy’s electronic warfare aircraft performing aggressive, sound-intensive flight demos.
NORAD Interdiction Demo — A combined force presentation of intercept and response tactics under NORAD.
Jeff Boerboon: Extra 330SC — High-energy aerobatics in the Extra 330SC, known for rolling and looping agility.
US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demo — Tiltrotor aviation with the ability to take off/land vertically and transition to high-speed forward flight.
Louisiana Air National Guard Bayou Militia F-15s — Twin F-15 fighters flown by the Louisiana ANG doing high-speed tactical and formation maneuvers.
German Air Force A400M Demo (DE) — Military transport aircraft demoed by Germany, showing off its heavy lift capability.
US Air Force Special Warfare Exhibition Team — Showcasing special ops parachute, tactical insertions or related exhibition tasks.
Emma McDonald: Extra 300L (AU) — Australian aerobatic pilot Emma McDonald flying the Extra 300L in precision aerobatics.
US Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team — Navy’s parachute display team complete with precision freefall and canopy choreography.
Greg Colyer: Ace Maker T-33 — Historic jet trainer flown for demo in aerial heritage display. Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach
US Air Force C-17 West Coast Demo Team — A heavy airlifter demo from the USAF, showing capabilities of the C-17 Globemaster III.
