Warbirds return pumps $40m into Wānaka

Organisers of the three-day Warbirds Over Wanaka are reporting this year's return of the popular airshow generated more than $40 million for the regional economy.

The biennial airshow was forced to cancel in 2020 and 2022 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but roared back into life this Easter - the first show in six years.

Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshows Ltd chair Paul Moodie says a conservative estimate of the total economic impact over the event’s lifetime is $305 million.

"We are all about staging a truly world-class event which gives back to our region. We believe we do that well with not just the economic benefit but also the engagement with the community on so many levels.

"There are numerous community groups which benefit financially from being involved in helping deliver the airshow. For some of these it’s a significant part of their fundraising every couple of years. We are also extremely proud of our free community lakeside airshow which attracts thousands of people."

According to its 2024 Economic Impact Assessment Report, 64,800 guests attended this year's event, up 18 percent on the last airshow in 2018, with the overall satisfaction rating reaching 98 percent - also up on the last show.

Forty-five percent of attendees were first timers, which Mr Moodie says bodes will for the future of the event.

"There was a drop in the number of international visitors but this was more than made up for by a surge in the numbers of Kiwis attending."

He says many long-time airshow participants and visitors reckon 2024 was the best Wānaka airshow ever.

"The pressure is now on the team to beat it."

However, parking and traffic management did mar this year's event, with organisers admitting they have been identified as an area of concern for many.

Social media posts referred to delays of up to two hours to get out of airshow parking areas on the Friday, while on the Saturday the traffic between Wānaka township and the airport was slowed to less than a crawl. 

Mr Moodie says organisers are already talking with various parties around how this can be improved for 2026, including offering more alternative transport options.

The next airshow will be held on April 3, 4 and 5, 2026, with tickets going on sale in early July next year.

Main image (Supplied/Geoff Marks): Some 64,800 guests attended this year's Warbirds Over Wanaka.