Celebrations to commemorate 100 years of flying in Blackpool are ready for take off!

Blackpool International is hosting a week of celebration this October – exactly 100 years after pioneering aviators first started flying in the resort in 1909!

Officially recognised by the Royal Aero Club, Blackpool hosted the country’s first air show in October 1909 when 200,000 spectators gathered for Blackpool Aviation Week.

Now, exactly a century later the airport is hosting its own week of celebrations to honour this special event which laid down the foundations for Blackpool’s unique association with individuals such as AV Roe and Amy Johnson.

During the week, from October 18th-24th, school children, aviation enthusiasts, past and present airport employees and organisations will gather for a series of special events and activities.

A giant 10-foot high suitcase will go on display in the airport terminal, featuring an interactive exhibition about 100 years of flying in Blackpool, from the early days of pleasure flights by AV Roe to Blackpool’s brief period as a town with two airports, and its contribution to the war effort during WW2.

A commemorative centenary website has also been launched featuring fascinating archive material all about the airport, including photographs, air show programmes, newspaper cuttings and even an airport employee pay packet document dating back to 1965!

The website also includes an interactive ‘memory bank’ inviting individuals to share their memories of flying or working at Blackpool International. Visit www.blackpoolinternational.com and click the link to the centenary micro website to view the history of the airport from 1909-2009 and share your special memories.

A mural and plaque designed by North West school children and students will be unveiled on Sunday 18th October at a special ceremony attended by guests and VIPs. A time capsule will also be buried in the airport grounds.

Passengers flying through Blackpool International from October 18th-24th will be issued with limited edition commemorative boarding passes and the airport has commissioned a local aviation enthusiast to produce a centenary pin badge, inspired by the original Blackpool Flying meeting lapel badge produced in 1909.

Susan Kendrick, Customer Relations and Communications Manager, said: “Blackpool’s unique connection with the aviation pioneers of the early 20th century is a great cause for celebration. It’s an opportunity to commemorate the foresight, innovation and creativity of the resort at a time when aviation was in its infancy. It has also given Blackpool a fascinating heritage which has continued to the present day.

“We’re all looking forward to celebrating 100 years of flying in Blackpool and we invite passengers, individuals and organisations to join us. We hope as many people as possible will visit the centenary website and see some of the interesting archive material available. We’d also love to hear people’s own reminiscences of flying or working from Blackpool for our centenary memory bank.”