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Hampshire Chamber Partners On ‘Behind-The-Scenes’ Air Festival



Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the organisers of the county’s newest airshow on a ‘behind-the-scenes’ networking opportunity for members and other businesses.


The inaugural Hampshire Air Festival is an aviation-themed, family-friendly weekend designed to celebrate 'The Age of Flight' through flying displays, static and heritage aircraft, pyro aerobatics, drone displays, fireworks and a STEM learning area.


It takes place at Thruxton Aerodrome near Andover on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 September 2026.

On the eve of the show, Friday 11 September, Hampshire Chamber will host a behind-the-scenes networking day at the aerodrome starting at 10.30am.


Ross McNally, Chief Executive and Executive Chair of Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This is a prime opportunity for representatives from our members and other businesses to meet, connect, have fun and potentially collaborate on business ideas in an atmosphere that breaks away from the usual."

“It is networking with a real difference, bringing the business community together in a unique aviation setting. We’ll be surrounded by aircraft, equipment and aviation industry themes that reflect the power of engineering, scientific insight and innovation. There will be a keynote speech, topical business presentations, scope to ask questions of pilots and other aviation experts and the chance to see aircraft landing. We hope it will inspire fresh thinking and new connections.”


Festival organiser Jonathan Moore, founder and Chief Executive of owner Montserrat Events, said:

“Thanks to our exciting new partnership with Hampshire Chamber, we anticipate business professionals from across the region will attend what promises to be a meaningful and enjoyable networking day with an aviation theme.”

Joining members from Hampshire Chamber for the networking day will be representatives from fellow event partners Omni Business Development Network and Total Business Network.


Thruxton Aerodrome began as a Second World War airfield, built in the early 1940s for fighter, transport and glider operations. When the war ended, flying activity shifted to training and general aviation, and the airfield moved into civilian hands.


Motor racing arrived soon after. In 1950 motorcycles began using the old runways and perimeter roads, followed by car racing in 1952. The wartime surfaces didn’t hold up for long, so the site was redeveloped during the late 1960s into a purpose-built circuit. The new track opened in 1968 and quickly became known as one of the fastest circuits in Britain.


Today Thruxton carries both histories. The aerodrome continues to operate for aviation training and private flying, while the circuit remains a major fixture in British motorsport.


For more information on the Hampshire Air Festival visit here.


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  • Oct 24, 2023
  • 3 min read

Northern Ireland’s largest airline easyJet has celebrated 25 years of flying passengers to and from Belfast International Airport.


The airline operated its largest ever flying programme from Belfast International this summer with 9.4% per cent more capacity than pre-pandemic, flying 3.2 million seats.


The airline welcomed an 8th A320 family aircraft to the base for this summer and has flown over 4.5 million passengers in the last year.


Unrivalled short-haul network continues to go from strength to strength, with inaugural flights from to Hurghada in Egypt and to Southampton set to take off for the first time later this month.


easyJet, Europe's leading airline and the largest airline in Northern Ireland is celebrating 25 years of flying passengers to and from Belfast International Airport.


To mark the occasion the airline surprised passengers flying from Belfast International with giveaways throughout the day including free easyJet return flights. Other celebrations, including cake giveaways, happened at the airport throughout the morning.


Since easyJet’s very first flight from Belfast to London Luton a quarter of a century ago, the airline has gone from strength to strength flying over 70 million passengers in that time with over 4.5 million flown in last year. This year easyJet welcomed its eighth Airbus A320 family aircraft to the base, the most since operations began, demonstrating the airline’s long-term commitment to Northern Ireland and operated its largest flying programme from Belfast International with 9.4% more capacity than pre-pandemic, flying 3.2 million seats to and from Belfast International.


In the past year, the airline’s network has gone from strength to strength, adding four new routes to Antalya in Turkey, Rhodes in Greece, Southampton and most recently Hurghada, providing connections between Belfast and Egypt for the first time.


easyJet now offers more capacity from Belfast to Spain and Portugal than any other airline and links Belfast International with more London airports than any other airline, providing over 90 flights a week from Belfast International.


Ali Gayward, easyJet UK country manager, commented: ”For over two decades, we are proud to have served millions of customers flying from Belfast International, where we have grown to become the largest airline not just as the airport but in Northern Ireland, with customers choosing us for our unrivalled network, fantastic service and great value fares."


“And our continued success at Belfast International is testament to the strong demand we see for travel, coupled with the importance of the UK market in supporting our profitable growth."


“I have to thank our fantastic customers who have travelled from Belfast International Airport with us over the past 25 years for their loyalty and support as well as our dedicated team in Belfast for their hard work and commitment. We can’t wait to see where the next 25 years takes us.”


Graham Keddie, Managing Director, Belfast International Airport, said: “easyJet revolutionised air travel when they arrived at Belfast international Airport 25 years ago. They have become an integral part of the airport’s growth in that time, bringing unrivalled connectivity, significant investment and providing employment to hundreds of people. We are incredibly proud to stand alongside them today to celebrate this fantastic milestone. We look forward to the launch of new routes later this month to both Hurghada and Southampton and also to working alongside them on further developments.”


Last month the airline put on sale its summer 2024 schedule on sale meaning millions of seats across 155,000 easyJet flights between 3 June 2024 and 1 September 2024 including thousands of flights to and from Belfast International are now available, so customers have the opportunity to book early and get the best fares for next summer.


For more information on easyJet’s network from Belfast, visit easyJet.com.

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