NEWS RELEASES for the 2009 AirShow

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Punta Gorda, Florida March 30, 2009 2009 FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW BEST EVER The 2009 Florida International AirShow last week was the best ever according to show organizers. Chairman of the Board Fred Buckingham says that "65,000 spectators attended last week’s show." He added that it is the biggest crowd in the 29-year history of the Charlotte County event. "We pride ourselves in putting on a quality event each and every year," Buckingham added, "and area residents respond. We would like to thank everyone who attended our local working charity event." Proceeds from the Florida International Air Show are distributed to area working charities. To date the show has contributed over 2.3 million dollars. ICAS, the International Council of Air Shows, says that the trend for air shows across the country is higher attendance even though the economy is down. "Families are cutting costs, but they're still looking for quality entertainment," said John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows. "That's why air show attendance spikes in a bad economy. Ticket prices are low, but the entertainment value is high." Cudahy reported a 12 to 15 percent increase in air show attendance during 2008, which followed patterns witnessed during 1980-1982 and 1990-1991 recessions.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Punta Gorda, Florida
March 22, 2009

GREAT WEATHER …GREAT FLYERS …LEADS TO GREAT ATTENDANCE

Give them great entertainment in the air and on the ground and they will come. Air show fans turned out to see some of the best flyers in world this past weekend at the Florida International AirShow at Punta Gorda. However, not all of the entertainment came from the sky. With unique historical and modern day aircraft on display, there was also lot to see and do on the ground.

The United States Navy Blue Angels headlined the event showing some new twists and turns that thrilled the crowd with their precision flying. Ground attractions ranged from a Lockheed 12 similar to the one flown by Amelia Earhardt, and soon to be featured in a movie about the lost aviator, to a C-130 Hurricane Hunter that spends the summer months chasing storms around Florida.

Bucky McQueen, President of the air show said that "Saturday’s crowd appears to be the best ever in the twenty-nine year history of the show." Fred Buckingham, Chairman of the Board added that "Sunday’s attendance was up there as well." While it will take some time to calculate the exact figures, the weekend was a huge success for the Florida International AirShow.

The Florida International Air Show is an event that has passed on well over 2-million dollars to local working charities in Southwest Florida.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Punta Gorda, Florida
March 16, 2009

BLUE ANGELS TO FLY HOMETOWN HEROES

The United States Navy Blue Angels will be adding a new twist to their visit this week to the Florida International Air Show. The team will provide rides for two “Hometown Heroes” from Southwest Florida. In order to qualify for a ride with the famed demonstration team, a person must be heavily involved in the community.

This year the team chose two Southwest Florida leaders for rides in an F-18 Hornet. They are Dr. David Gayler, Charlotte County Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Wilson G. Bradshaw, President of Florida Gulf Coast University. Both educators are leaders in the community as well as their respective institutions.

The rides are scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, March 18th. The flights will take place at the Charlotte County Airport, home of the Florida International AirShow. This will be the first time in recent history that the Blue Angels have flown "Hometown Heroes" at the Florida show.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Punta Gorda, Florida
March 5, 2009

ADVANCE TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE FLORIDA AIR SHOW

The United States Navy Blue Angels are on the way to Charlotte County. The United States team is wrapping up their pre-season training in California and will be heading east to the 29th Florida International Air Show. It will be the team’s 11th appearance at the show and they will be starting their 63rd year as a demonstration team. For twenty-three of those years the Blue Angels will fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Show dates for the 2009 event are March 21st and 22nd.

Advanced tickets at a reduced price are now on sale for the Florida International Air Show.

Adult tickets are $18, kids 2-12 $5. Advanced tickets can also be purchased and printed at home through the shows web site at www.FloridaAirShow.com . There are no added on costs for tickets purchased on the web site.

There are also several walk in ticket locations around the area:

• SunTrust Banks
• Military Heritage Museum at Fisherman’s Village
• Skyview restaurant at the Charlotte County Airport
• American Legion Post 103 Punta Gorda
• Herald-Tribune office in Venice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Las Vegas, Nevada
December 9, 2008

NAVY BLUE ANGELS TO HEADLINE FLORIDA AIR SHOW

The United States Navy Blue Angels will headline the 2009 Florida International Air Show. It will be the team’s 11th visit to the Southwest Florida event. The Navy precision flying team made the announcement today in Las Vegas at the Annual International Council of Air Shows Convention.

The Blue Angels fly the F/A-18 Hornet. The Hornet is the first dual-role fighter/attack aircraft serving on the nation's front lines of defense. The team will be starting their 63rd year and flying this aircraft for the 23rd straight year in 2009.

Chairman of the local air show Fred Buckingham said the team has been a very big part of this event. He added: "the Blue Angels made their first appearance during the inaugural Florida International Air Show in 1981. Their last appearance in 2005 came shortly after Hurricane Charley left major destruction at the Charlotte County Airport. We are excited and honored to have them back as our feature act this year. Their precise aerial maneuvers demonstrate the capabilities of modern high-performance aircraft and the team exhibits the professional qualities of Navy people who fly, maintain and support these aircraft."

AirShow Events

• All acts may not appear due to circumstances beyond the control of the Florida International AirShow

FIAS 2009

The 2009 Florida International AirShow will be watched each day this year by thousands of spectators in the Beautiful Southwest Florida Sunshine.