43rd Florida International Air Show concludes, next show set for April 2028
After three difficult years, the volunteer-led air show thanked the community that kept showing up and announced a move to April 2028, outside Atlantic hurricane season.
Kevin Coleman, 2026 Aerobatic Performer at the 43rd Florida International Air Show, performs one of his signature aerobatic maneuvers. Photo credit: Thomas Bender
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The 43rd Florida International Air Show concluded Sunday at Punta Gorda Airport after two days of civilian jet demonstrations, aerobatic performances and hands-on aviation and STEM activities. The air show’s board of directors announced that the event will move from its traditional fall dates to April 2028.
The weekend capped three difficult years for the volunteer-led organization. A hurricane forced the cancellation of the 2024 show. A federal government shutdown led to the withdrawal of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and the U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team shortly before the 2025 show. This year, organizers rebuilt the flying schedule around civilian performers after the planned F-35A Lightning II demonstration was withdrawn.
“Over the past three years, we’ve asked a lot of the people who make this show possible, and they kept showing up,” said Denise Dull, president of the Florida International Air Show. “Our volunteers adjusted as plans changed, our sponsors and community partners stood with us, and families came out to cheer on the pilots. On behalf of the board, thank you for sticking with us and for making this weekend possible.”
Bill Culberson, of FighterJets, Inc., takes off in his MiG-17 to begin his performance at the 43rd Florida International Air Show in Punta Gorda. Photo credit: Thomas Bender
Over its history, the Florida International Air Show has distributed more than $3.5 million to nonprofit organizations that help operate the event. The air show will continue supporting those nonprofit partners as it prepares for 2028 and beyond.
The move to April takes the event outside Atlantic hurricane season and gives organizers an opportunity to seek a date earlier in the national air show season, when military demonstration teams may have different openings. The longer planning window also gives the board more time to coordinate with the airport, performers and community partners.
Air show organizers seeking a major military jet team, such as the Blue Angels or the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, submit a formal request two years before the show season. The military services review the proposed dates and whether the venue meets their operating requirements, then select events as they build their national schedules. The Florida International Air Show will announce its April 2028 dates and performers as they are confirmed.
