Pacific Airshow Gold Coast cancelled as high swells dash hopes of beach recovery from erosion

Organisers of the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast have cancelled the event that was due to take place in mid-August, following recurring king tides and massive swells that caused significant additional erosion to a Surfers Paradise foreshore already damaged by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March.

Pacific Airshow chief executive officer Kevin Elliott says all patrons who purchased a ticket will receive an email about their options following the cancellation, including the option of a full refund.

The airshow was due to be the third on the Gold Coast for the international event that began at California's Huntington Beach in 2018, and last year attracted 270,000 people to Surfers Paradise with the Pacific Airshow ticketed precinct itself hosting 70,000 spectators.

Elliott says the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast will be back "BIGGER, FASTER & LOUDER" from 14-16 August 2026.

"It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you of the cancellation of Pacific Airshow Gold Coast scheduled for 15-17 August 2025 in Surfers Paradise," he says.

"I released a statement on 16 April 2025 regarding our work with local authorities to ensure beach rectification efforts were on track in the wake of Cyclone Alfred. 

"At the time of that statement our team had every confidence that the ongoing beach restoration efforts would have the sandy beach in Surfers Paradise in peak shape in time for this year’s event."

However, he says the "perfect storm" of weather that followed caused further erosion, "dashing our plans and creating new safety concerns".

"Big surf, high tides and unusually persistent rainfall since the cyclone have created a perfect storm of events that has been detrimental to recovery efforts," he says.

"It’s been one step forward, two steps back with beach sand replenishment, even though the City of Gold Coast has been putting all its efforts into returning the beach to its picture-perfect best with ships, trucks, pumps and the lot.

"Our extensive modelling shows that in light of the recent erosion caused by the king tides and massive swell, the sand just won’t be there for a safe spectator experience at the scale Pacific Airshow requires."

He says that after looking at every option, including changing dates or moving to another spot on the Gold Coast, organisers could not find a way to keep its community safe without compromising the show either in the air or on the ground.

"In light of all available information and after reviewing the recent state of Surfers Paradise Beach, making the decision to cancel this year’s event timely and decisively is the responsible path," he says.

"The number of tickets sold during the pre-sale this year more than doubled the numbers sold for 2024, so we’re extremely grateful to our PA family and hope they will stick with us through this setback. 

"I take my responsibility to our PA family and the Gold Coast Community very seriously. I feel it is our obligation to deliver an experience that exceeds your expectations every time you attend," he says.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says the decision to cancel was a tough one for the Pacific Airshow team, but "we must ensure the airshow maintains the incredible standards it has achieved over the past two years".

"Beach recovery works continue but we cannot guarantee this section of coastline will be ready to welcome 200,000-plus people in August so it is the right decision," he says.

"Through our partnership with Code Four and the State Government, we have created one of the biggest family-oriented events in Australia.

“The Airshow will be back in 2026 and I have no doubt the program will be worth the wait."

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn says the Pacific Airshow has quickly become a standout on the Gold Coast’s annual events calendar, enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people in its first two years.

"While we share the Pacific Airshow team’s disappointment that the event won’t be able to go ahead in 2025, we are so excited the Airshow will return bigger and better in August 2026 and for many years to come," Warn says.

"Experience Gold Coast worked very closely with the Pacific Airshow team to secure this incredible spectacle for our city, and it has proven to be a tremendous success for local businesses and visitors alike which we’re all really proud of."

Since ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred earlier this year, the Gold Coast has lost more than four million cubic metres of sand – the equivalent of 320,000 semi-trailer loads – causing significant erosion across the coastline, including Surfers Paradise beach.

The beach level has dropped by approximately two metres, resulting in ocean encroachment, creating sand cliffs as high as six metres in some locations, although the effects are less pronounced in various beaches along the coast.

The City of Gold Coast continues to undertake beach nourishment works to minimise the impact of further beach erosion and loss of sand.