International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight takes to skies over shore front
Tens of thousands of people will head to Ayr over the weekend for the first air show in the town since 2018
Last updated 8th Sep 2023
Thousands of people are set to descend on Ayr for a weekend of high-flying action, as the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight comes to the town’s shore front.
It’s the first time a major airshow has taken place in the town since 2018, and has been one of the major projects undertaken by South Ayrshire Council leader Martin Dowey since his election.
What's on?
The event will see a number of aerial teams take to the air over Ayr on Friday and Saturday, with displays from The Red Arrows, an RAF Typhoon, Airborne Pyrotechnics and even an iconic Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
Back on the ground organisers are promising a weekend of activities and entertainment, as well as food, drink and trader exhibitions.
Festival-goers will be able to enjoy the food and drink village, grab a sweet treat from an ice cream van or a drink in the VIP bar.
READ MORE: Starlings Aerobatic Display Team join International Ayr Show line-up
South Ayrshire Council also hopes to use the airshow to highlight the importance of education, in particular STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Everyone, of all ages and backgrounds, is invited to swing by our STEM village, The Sky Way, to find out more about the crucial part these subjects play in the future of the local and international aviation and aerospace industries.
Entertainment on Saturday and Sunday will also include classic car and extreme sports exhibitions, as well as live performances from Drums n’ Roses and a wandering pipe band.
With the festival taking place in the air and on the land, it is only right that the action takes to the sea as well, and so festival goers will have a chance to take the plunge with the Just Dive Scuba Experience.
READ MORE: RAF Chinook Display Team to appear at International Ayr Show
The aquatic action continues right through the weekend, with beach activities on Sunday 10 September.
Get your swimming cap and water wings ready and prepare to take part in team water games, coasteering and coastal edging. A beach assault course and pop-up beach sports will also be on offer.
Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: “We’ve covered all bases with our entertainment and activity plans for the air show festival weekend. It’s going to be a great event, both in the skies and on the ground, so come along, have a great time and soak up the atmosphere.”
Getting There
Scotrail is putting on extra carriages on its services to Ayr to help people get to and from the event.
Customers are also advised to be aware that services along the route are expected to be much busier than normal with the Largs Viking Festival also underway.
Stagecoach West Scotland, in partnership with South Ayrshire Council, will operate a park and ride shuttle bus service, leaving every 15 minutes between Burns Statute Square at Ayr station and Seafield Road.
Queuing systems are expected to be in place at key stations, so ScotRail is advising customers to allow extra time for their journey.
The train operator will have extra staff on hand to assist customers, and everyone is reminded that the carrying and consumption of alcohol is prohibited on ScotRail trains and in ScotRail stations.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said:
“The International Ayr Show provides a host of great family entertainment, and we’re looking forward to playing our part in making it a successful and enjoyable weekend.
“To help the event run smoothly, we’re adding more seats to trains to and from Ayr on Saturday and Sunday, but services will be busier than normal, so customers should plan ahead and leave plenty of time for travel.
“I’d encourage everyone to purchase their train tickets before boarding to make their travel experience as smooth as possible. The mTicket system, available on the ScotRail app, offers a convenient way to secure your tickets and download them straight to your mobile phone, avoiding any unnecessary queues on the day.”
READ MORE: List or Ayr Festival of Flight road closures revealed in full
Visitors and local residents are also reminded that traffic around the town will be much busier than usual over the weekend.
More than 25 streets and lanes will be closed off to the public on the weekend between September 8-10, for the International Ayr Show: Festival of Flight.
A statement from South Ayrshire Council said: “The Council has written to affected residents, who will shortly receive letters with detailed information and any required permits where appropriate.
“Emergency vehicles will still have access to all affected routes.”
Dozens of other roads will also be impacted by the festival, and the full list of closures and temporary no waiting areas can be found here.