Organizers Cite Falling Revenue, Sequestration, Layoffs

Organizers of the Indianapolis Air Show say that they can no longer afford to put on the event, and have closed up shop for good.

The move comes after sequestration forced the cancellation of the 2013 event, which the non-profit organization said forced it to lay off the three-person staff that planned and found sponsors for the event. The Blue Angels or Thunderbirds had traditionally headlined the event. The show had been planned for June 13-14 of next year.

But the show's troubles ran deeper than just 2013, according to a report in the Indianapolis Star. Declining attendance and rising costs have made it more and more difficult to reach a break-even point on the show, according to air show executive committee chair Robert Duncan.

Duncan said that even with the resumption of performances by the military demonstration teams, the Indianapolis Air Show, normally held at Indianapolis Regional Airport, was not guaranteed a slot by either team. He said that the organization simply lacks the money and staff to plan the event this year.

The show drew 80,000 people to central Indiana in 2012. But attendance always fell sharply when a military demonstration team was not on the bill.

Duncan left the door open for the show to resume at some point in the future. "I’m disappointed, but sometimes something may rest for a while and then get re-energized, and that may happen here,” he told the paper.

ICAS president John Cudahy said while it is unfortunate the show has been put on indefinite hiatus, he does not see it as a national trend. "I've not heard of any others, and frankly, I don't expect any," he told the paper.

That is likely to be a hot topic of discussion at the International Council of Air Show's annual convention, which opens December 3 in Las Vegas. The keynote address will be given by retired U.S. Army colonel Dr. Jeff McCausland, who has built a post-military career as a consultant focused on executive leadership.

ICAS says that following Dr. McCausland’s keynote address, the schedules for North America’s three military jet teams will be announced.

FMI: www.indyairshow.com, www.airshows.aero