Extent of airshow loss ‘in committee’

Press, 29 June 1987, Page 5

Extent of airshow loss ‘in committee’

Organisers of the airshow to mark Christchurch Airport’s jubilee in March are silent on the extent of the loss incurred by the airshow. Reports that the loss may be more than $lOO,OOO were met with a firm ‘‘no comment” last evening by the chairman of the Christchurch City Counci’s airport committee, Cr Morgan Fahey.

The matter was still in committee and no figures would be given before the Christchurch City Council meeting of July 20, he said.

It was unfortunate that the achievements of the airshow seemed to have been forgotten in the speculation about the loss it made, he said. In terms of generating publicity for - ’ — — N

Christchurch and the South Island the jubilee celebrations had been a great success. A celebration staged at any lesser level would not have attracted the same international involvement and exposure for the airport.

“I believe that that involvement will have ongoing benefits for the airport and the city,” Cr Fahey said. The airshow had made a loss, he said, because fewer people had paid to see it than expected.

Auditors were going through the airshow accounts.

Cr Fahey said the council would have to decide how the loss would be covered, but he said no

ratepayers’ money would be used.

The airport is one council department that does, not draw on rates.

He acknowledged that the 13 months of planning devoted to the airshow was a short lead-up for such an event but said he was satisfied that the airshow was the appropriate way to mark 50 years of flying at Christchurch Airport. The show had also been timed to coincide with the jubilee of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

A donation had been given from the airshow to the Air Force Museum at Wigram, although it was not the $200,000 the organisers had hoped to said.