AMDA Foundation, organiser of the Australian International Airshow, announced today that it has taken over Wings Over Illawarra (WOI) and would re-brand the event as Airshows Downunder Shellharbour, with the first new event scheduled for March 2024.
Wings over Illawarra has been run for several years at Albion Park under the guidance of organiser Mark Bright, who has built the show up from a simple fly-in to a major event for the Sydney basin.
AMDA Foundation CEO Justin Giddings said the move was inline with his organisation's mission to promote the Australian aviation industry.
"Wings Over Illawarra has built an excellent reputation as an event for the general aviation and light sport community in Australia," he said.
"It has an exciting airshow covering the breadth of vintage, warbird and modern aviation and a highly regarded careers and skills day to help attract the next generation. It also provides an important means of promoting general aviation to the general public.
"AMDA Foundation intends to build on that and create an event that promotes the Australian general aviation industry, while providing an exciting airshow for all the family."
Speaking to gathered media today, Mark Bright said that he felt he had taken WOI as far as he and his team could, and that AMDA Foundation's resources and expertise would enable WOI to achieve his original vision for the event,
"Wings Over Illawarra was created to give the general public a great air show and help promote affordable recreational aviation in Australia," he said.
"AMDA Foundation's great experience and resources will take the air show to the next level. Their experience in operating major events such as the Australian International Airshow will help [WOI] grow and increase its ability to promote aviation in Australia."
The Airshows Downunder brand was used commonly in the early days of the Australian International Airshow and several other air shows in regional Australia. The new branding combined with the Shellharbour name cements Albion Park as the home of the air show for years to come.
In the last few years, AMDA Foundation has taken over operating RotorTech, and supplied funds to other events such as the Regional Aviation Association of Australia roadshows and the Fly'n for Fun event held at Parkes, NSW.
Airshows Downunder Shellharbour is scheduled for 1-3 March 2024, and will continue to be held in non-Avalon years.