(Credit: Bruce Laing) An F-16 Viper seen flying during SkyDrive 2023.
The city’s annual air show, Airshow London, has been named the Best Air Show in North America for the third year in a row.
The title was given by the 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards Contest, a property of USA Today, with nominees being chosen by a panel of industry experts and editors from USA Today and 10Best.com. This was followed by the public being invited to vote daily for four weeks to determine a winner.
“We are extremely proud to have been voted as the best air show in North America for three years running,” says Airshow London Executive Director, Holly Doty.
“Being the only Canadian show nominated was already an awesome compliment but to win, wow, we are so thankful.”
Doty says that while the primary focus of the attention is on the air show itself, there is a whole crew dedicated to giving Londoners the best air show experience they can.
“Our team of staff and volunteers dedicate so much of their time and energy to put on an incredible event for our guests, and this show of support from our fans across North America.”
At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Airshow London developed the drive-in format for their air show, allowing SkyDrive to be the only air show to run that year. Since its introduction, this format has seen success, selling out every year. With approximately 2,500 vehicles parked per day, they welcome between 25,000 – 30,000 guests annually.
Most recently in 2023, SkyDrive welcomed over 6,800 parked vehicles (over 27,000 people) over three days to the London International Airport and hosted an unprecedented eight U.S. military demonstration teams.
“We are so grateful for the continued support and participation from the Royal Canadian Air Force, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corp, and other organizations which attract a lot of attention from fans, locally and from afar,” says Airshow London Director of Air Operations, Gerry Vanderhoek.
“The continued support over Airshow London’s eight years has been an integral part of growing the show’s reputation as one of the best military displays in Canada and the U.S.”
This year’s show will be another spectacular showcase of military aviation highlighted by Canadian participation from the RCAF Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the RCAF CF-18 Demonstration Team, and U.S. participation from the USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, the North American P-51 Mustang, and the U.S. Golden Knights.
(Credit: Tracey Saraceni) The airshow, which features plenty of aircraft, was developed into a drive-in experience called “SkyDrive” in 2020.
As well, for the first time ever, the event will host the U.K.’s esteemed Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows.
Vanderhoek says that with three years of wins under their belt, Airshow London has solidified itself as a key event in the city and across the continent.
“This type of recognition really puts London, Ontario on the map as a world class Aviation Event and something Londoner’s should be very proud of.”
For more information on this year’s SkyDrive, September 13 – 15, visit airshowlondon.com or @airshowlondon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
