THE future of Jersey’s International Air Display is under serious threat because of proposed cuts to the Tourism budget.

After the success of yesterday’s free event, the politician in charge of Tourism has warned that there is not enough money available to keep the show free and at the same time maintain high standards.

Despite the wet weather at the end of the display, which meant the Red Arrows had to cut their performance short, thousands turned out to see the four-hour extravaganza and lined the front from Noirmont and St Aubin to Fort Regent and Mount Bingham.

The poor weather also meant that the helicopters stationed in the People’s Park had to make an unscheduled overnight stay until this morning.

However, concerns were expressed over the future of the display by the chairman of the Jersey Tourism Board, Deputy Lyndon Farnham, who said: ‘We are being asked to cut £150,000 from the festivals and events budget and something has got to give.

Events such as these are vital to the future success of tourism in Jersey, so it is therefore with a great deal of regret that I must announce the future of this particular event is under threat due to proposed cuts in the Tourism budget.

‘We provide £50,000 towards the display, but it costs a lot more to put it on and the display relies heavily on sponsorship.

But if one of these fell away, then there would be serious problems.’