LONDON, June 13 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The organisers behind the new Hampshire Air Festival have unveiled a Founding 200 initiative designed to help businesses and individuals play a direct role in bringing the newest airshow to life in Hampshire.
Set to take place at Thruxton Aerodrome on the 12th and 13th September 2026, the inaugural event promises a packed weekend celebrating the Age of Flight.
Supporting the Founding 200 Scheme
The Founding 200 scheme aims to provide early financial backing for the event while giving supporters recognition as part of the festival’s foundation. Limited to just 200 participants, membership is available for £300 plus VAT, with businesses and individuals receiving visibility as founding supporters as the event establishes itself.
As an added incentive, three members of the Founding 200 will be randomly upgraded to premium Key Sponsor packages worth approximately £20,000 each. These enhanced sponsorships will associate the recipient with one of the festival’s flagship elements, such as the Flying Display, Evening Extravaganza, or Ground Attractions, including the STEM area. Benefits include VIP hospitality, weekend tickets, and access to a dedicated business networking event.
B2B Networking and Sector Engagement
In addition to the public airshow, the Hampshire Air Festival will host its first Business Networking Day on Friday, 11 September, at Thruxton Aerodrome. Delivered in partnership with the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, the event provides professionals with the opportunity to network in the unique setting of an operational airshow venue ahead of the public weekend.
Event organiser Jonathan Moore noted the importance of building a foundation for the future. He stated: “Launching a new airshow requires both experience and belief. The Founding 200 allows businesses and individuals to be part of that journey from the outset, helping to create something that we intend to grow year on year.”
A New Venue for Aviation History
Thruxton Aerodrome provides a historic backdrop for the event. Constructed in 1942, the site served as a critical Royal Air Force base and acted as a major launchpad for United States Army Air Forces troop carriers during the D-Day landings in 1944. Organisers hope the combination of aviation, entertainment, and community engagement will establish the festival as a new fixture on the UK airshow calendar.
The event is designed to fill a gap in the regional calendar, with organisers expecting a turnout of approximately 10,000 visitors. The weekend will feature a chronological journey through aviation history, spanning Great War biplanes, World War II warbirds, and modern fast jets. The celebration also marks the 90th anniversary of the Supermarine Spitfire, which was designed and built in Southampton.
The Saturday evening programme features a rare twilight spectacle. This includes pyrotechnic aerobatics, a high-tech synchronized light show by drone swarms, and a fireworks finale. Because of stringent Civil Aviation Authority regulations regarding night flying, only a select group of pilots are certified to perform these pyro-aerobatics in the dark.
Ground attractions will also be available for visitors, including live music, motorcycle stunt teams, military re-enactors, and interactive engineering zones. Businesses looking to secure one of the remaining foundation slots can purchase entry directly via the official festival portal.
