The Manston International Airshow 2026 is cancelled. Organisers confirmed the June 6–7, 2026 event at Manston Airport, Kent, will not proceed. This marks the 2nd consecutive year the show has been called off, following unresolved airspace disputes with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
For official aviation safety context, see the UK Civil Aviation Authority. For the previous guide in this series, see British Airshow Review: 6 Top UK Events, Aircraft, Costs, and Visitor Ratings Compared.
What Is the Manston International Airshow?
The Manston International Airshow is a major aviation event held at Manston Airport in Kent, southeast England. It features military and civilian aircraft, historic warplanes, aerobatic displays, and ground exhibitions. The event brings together aircraft from several countries and is known for its coastal setting and family-friendly atmosphere.
The airshow was billed as the “most exciting air and land based show in the South East of England” and would have been the first major airshow at Manston in more than a decade.
Where Is Manston Airport Located?
Manston Airport is located in Thanet, Kent, in the southeast of England. It is owned and operated by RiverOak Strategic Partnership. Extensive renovation of the airport is not expected to begin until 2026, with a completion date of early 2028.
Why Was the Manston Airshow 2026 Cancelled?
The Manston Airshow 2026 was cancelled due to unresolved airspace issues with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Organisers stated that variations to the guidance for running a safe event imposed by the CAA could not be resolved without clear answers that were not forthcoming.
Organisers behind the Manston International Airshow say they have now “called time” on the 2026 event after failing to resolve concerns raised by the CAA.
The 3 core obstacles that led to cancellation are:
- Unresolved airspace variations imposed by the CAA on safe event guidance
- Additional safety requirements beyond statutory airshow regulations
- Road closure requirements — documents from Kent County Council indicated temporary closures of the A299 and B2050 would have been necessary
What Role Did the Shoreham Airshow Crash Play in UK Airshow Regulations?
The 2015 Shoreham Airshow crash directly caused the stricter CAA regulations now affecting UK airshows. On 22 August 2015, a Hawker Hunter T7 warbird crashed onto the A27 road during an aerial display at the Shoreham Airshow, killing 11 people and injuring 16 others. It was the deadliest air show accident in the United Kingdom since the 1952 Farnborough Airshow crash, which killed 31 people.
As a result of the accident, all civilian-registered Hawker Hunter aircraft in the United Kingdom were grounded, and restrictions were placed on civilian vintage jet aircraft displays over land, limiting them to high-level flypasts and banning aerobatic manoeuvres.
What CAA Rules Now Govern UK Airshows?
The CAA introduced 29 action items following the Shoreham crash to enhance UK airshow safety standards. These action items included issuing new guidance on enhanced risk assessments for flying displays, strengthening provisions in areas such as training, additional checks for those overseeing display flying, and a review of the experience, skill and health requirements for display pilots.
The 4 key post-Shoreham CAA restrictions include:
- Banning high-energy aerobatics over land by vintage jet aircraft
- Limiting vintage jets to flypasts only
- Increasing minimum altitudes for aircraft manoeuvres
- Mandating enhanced risk assessments for all flying display permissions
The CAA implemented measures including grounding certain aircraft types, restricting aerobatics over land, and increasing minimum altitudes for manoeuvres.
What Was the Timeline of the Manston Airshow Cancellations?
The Manston International Airshow has been cancelled or postponed 2 times across 2025 and 2026. The sequence of events spans 24 months of planning.
| Date | Event |
| August 2025 (original) | Show postponed — insufficient time to finalise CAA-approved plans |
| July 25, 2025 | Organisers reschedule to June 6–7, 2026 |
| June 6–7, 2026 (rescheduled) | Show cancelled — CAA airspace issues unresolved |
| End of May 2026 | Automatic ticket refunds processed via Ticketflex |
| 2027 | Organisers announce plans under review |
The show had originally been due to take place in August 2025 before it was postponed to June 6 and 7 this year following talks with the CAA over additional safety requirements.
Bill Giles, the organiser of the Manston International Airshow, stated that discussions with the CAA had only concluded the week of the 2025 postponement, and while the CAA agreed the plans were approvable, insufficient time remained to finalise them to a satisfactory level.
What Aircraft Were Planned for the Manston Airshow 2026?
The Manston Airshow 2026 had secured a range of military, historic, and aerobatic aircraft. Aircraft from the UK and overseas had been lined up to appear, including historic warplanes and aerobatic displays, while organisers had also hoped to secure an appearance from the Royal Air Force Red Arrows.
Confirmed display acts included:
- The Great War Display Team — historic World War I aircraft recreations
- The Muscle Biplane — a gravity-defying aerobatic display aircraft
- The OV-10 Bronco — an agile military turboprop aircraft
These represent 3 of the confirmed or expected display acts across a planned 2-day programme.
What Happens to Manston Airshow 2026 Tickets?
All Manston Airshow 2026 ticket holders are entitled to an automatic full refund. Organisers, alongside their ticketing team at Ticketflex, are working to automatically reimburse everyone by the end of May 2026. No manual claim is required.
Ticket holders fall into 2 categories:
- 2025 deferrals — those who held tickets over from the original 2025 postponement
- 2026 purchasers — those who bought tickets directly for the rescheduled June event
Both groups are covered under the automatic Ticketflex refund process.
Which Charities Were Set to Benefit from the Manston Airshow?
The Manston Airshow 2026 had 2 official charity partners: Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey and Sussex (KSS) and Brain Tumour Research. Both causes hold personal resonance for show founder Bill Giles. The cancellation means neither charity receives the planned fundraising proceeds from the 2026 event.
Will the Manston Airshow Return in 2027?
Organisers have signalled intent to plan a Manston Airshow in 2027, but no date is confirmed. The team behind the event stated they look forward to updating supporters with developments as they work to introduce new plans for the airshow in 2027.
The 2027 show faces 3 unresolved conditions:
- CAA airspace approval — the same issues that cancelled 2026 must be resolved
- Airport renovation progress — Manston Airport’s renovation runs until early 2028
- Road closure agreements — coordination with Kent County Council on the A299 and B2050
Following the Shoreham Airshow disaster in 2015, UK air show regulations were significantly tightened, particularly regarding ex-military jets and aerobatic displays over land. These regulations remain the central challenge for any future Manston event.
Summary: Key Facts About Manston Airshow 2026
- Status: Cancelled
- Original scheduled dates: June 6–7, 2026
- Location: Manston Airport, Thanet, Kent
- Reason for cancellation: Unresolved CAA airspace and safety guidance issues
- Consecutive cancellations: 2 (2025 and 2026)
- Refund deadline: End of May 2026, via Ticketflex (automatic)
- Next planned event: Possible 2027 show under review
- Charity partners: Air Ambulance KSS and Brain Tumour Research
The Manston International Airshow remains one of the most anticipated aviation events in the South East of England. Its return in 2027 depends on a resolution between organisers and the CAA over airspace guidance — a challenge that has grounded 2 years of planning.
