July 3, 2014 2.07 pm This story is over 117 months old

2015 Waddington Air Show cancelled due to runway works

One-year break: The 2015 RAF Waddington International Air Show will not take place due to £35 million runway works scheduled at the base.
The view from the control tower of the northern half of the show. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The 2015 RAF Waddington International Air Show will not take place due to £35 million runway works scheduled at the base from September for 59 weeks.

An RAF Waddington spokesperson said: “Due to the runway rebuild work at RAF Waddington due to start in September 2014, the station is unable to put on a show next year.

“Today the station’s main focus is delivering a successful 2014 show.”

The show is the largest of all RAF air shows, and is regularly attended by over 140,000 visitors.

The 2014 Waddington Air Show on July 5 and 6 has already reached full capacity and no tickets will be sold on the gates on either days.

Online ticket sales have now closed but advance tickets are still available until Friday, Jul 4, from branches of HSBC and Morrisons supermarkets.

The organisers are keen to stress that unless visitors have an advanced ticket prior to travel, that they will not gain entrance to the Air Show.

Runway works

Satellite view of the RAF Waddington base near Lincoln. Image: Google Maps

Satellite view of the RAF Waddington base near Lincoln. Image: Google Maps

RAF Waddington is scheduled to undergo a £35.4 million operation to rebuild its runway and improve airfield facilities.

The current runway, which spans 9,000 feet, has not been upgraded since the 1960s.

Work will begin in September 2014, with a view for completion in September 2015.

The re-build will be the first in Europe to be constructed from recycled waste materials, extending the perimeter track to improve airfield safety.

As part of new greener construction practices, 100,000 tonnes of materials will be excavated and recycled on site.

During the renovation period, aircraft will be relocated to other bases across the county.

It’s expected the project will extend the runway’s operational life by another 25 years.