GALLERY: Airshow presses on despite low cloud
POOR weather hindered the International Airshow at Portrush on Saturday but things were back to normal by yesterday.
The free annual family show is one of the North Coast's most popular attractions and was expected to draw in over a quarter of a million visitors over the weekend.
A spokeswoman for the show confirmed that a number of major displays scheduled could not appear due to conditions.
"Some aircraft lost their slots, for example the Eurofighter Typhoon," she said. "It is one of the most anticipated aircraft that we have been getting. The families really love the Red Arrows but the aircraft enthusiasts really like the Eurofighter."
One spectator who attended the event told the News Letter that it was clear that the weather had affected their experience on Saturday.
"It was a bit disappointing, they didn't seem to have the major aircraft attractions they normally do," he said. "Maybe the cloud cover was too low."
In contrast, as the weather had picked up yesterday displays went going according to plan, she added.
Paul Gallagher of Coleraine Borough Council's events team said that despite the weather, good crowds still attended the show.
"The low cloud inhibited the displays of only a few aircraft, this included the Eurofighter Typhoon which made a late display after the show finished in preparation for closing the airshow on Sunday," he said.
As the weather cleared, he said, it allowed fantastic displays from the Twister Duos, Spitfire, Messerschmitt and Antonov AN2. But the Red Arrows display was cut short from 20 minutes to 10 minutes because of the low cloud, he added.
The Spitfire, Messerschmitt and Dakota were to perform poignant displays over the weekend to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Later yesterday there was a remembrance parade and poppy drop on the beach.
Mayor of Coleraine, councillor Norman Hillis, said: "Annually attracting large crowds to Portrush, the airshow makes a significant contribution to our local tourism and hospitality sectors and we are indebted to our local businesses that pulled together to generously fund the show. Our thanks also must go to the lead sponsor, Tesco for their support of the 2010 show."
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 14 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
