News Summary

The Huntington Beach City Council has approved a long-term agreement with Code Four for the Pacific Airshow, allowing exclusive hosting rights for up to 25 years. The deal reduces operator financial responsibilities for public safety, is projected to generate significant city revenue, and includes a commitment to subsidize the air show. The agreement also permits monetization of city-owned parking spaces while addressing public safety costs as the city prepares for the upcoming 2023 event.

Huntington Beach City Council Approves Long-Term Agreement for Pacific Airshow

The Huntington Beach City Council has approved a long-term agreement with Code Four, the operators of the Pacific Airshow, securing exclusive rights to host the event for up to 25 years. The deal includes a commitment to subsidize the air show while generating significant revenue for the city.

The new agreement grants the Pacific Airshow operators exclusive rights for a period of 10 years with options for extensions cumulatively reaching a maximum of 25 years. It significantly relieves the operators of financial responsibilities regarding permitting, police, fire, marine safety, and other personnel costs associated with the event. City officials estimate that public safety services for the upcoming 2023 air show will cost around $253,000.

This decision comes on the heels of a prior settlement reached in 2023, where the Pacific Airshow was awarded $4.9 million for losses suffered due to a 2021 oil spill that cancelled the last day of the event. The initial settlement had called for a 40-year contract proposal, but after negotiations, the city successfully reduced this to a 25-year maximum.

In addition to the exclusive rights, the agreement allows airshow operators to monetize 3,000 city-owned parking spaces along the coast. Operators will retain all parking revenue until 2030, with parking fees capped at $50 per space as mandated by the Coastal Commission. After 2030, the city will receive $10 per parking space and $100 per camping space, subject to annual increases based on the consumer price index.

The decision to approve the agreement went to a vote, which passed 6-1, with Councilmember Chad Williams opposing the plan. Williams expressed concerns over the speed at which the agreement was moving through the city council and questioned the accuracy of an economic impact study that estimated the airshow attracted 690,000 attendees and generated a direct economic impact of $70 million for the local economy. He proposed a one-year agreement for further analysis, but this motion did not pass, failing in a 2-5 vote.

This year’s Pacific Airshow is scheduled for October 3-5. In contrast, Huntington Beach’s recent U.S. Open of Surfing incurred costs of $367,000 for public safety and other services in 2022, while the air show’s expenses were notably lower at $254,000. Comparatively, San Francisco’s Fleet Week, which includes an air show and celebration of American sea services, is reported to bring in around $10 million to the economy with less public subsidy.

The city is also planning to invest over $1 million into an environmental impact report to evaluate potential impacts from the air show, including wildlife monitoring requirements stipulated by the California Coastal Commission. Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark highlighted the importance of the airshow to the city’s financial health, suggesting that losing the event would result in economic losses far exceeding the city’s financial commitments to support it.

Despite the concerns raised, Councilmember Don Kennedy defended the move to subsidize the event, explaining that it is a common practice for cities to support major events to enhance commerce and tourism. The California Coastal Commission has approved a five-year coastal development permit for the upcoming airshow with certain conditions in place aimed at mitigating potential environmental impacts.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

California Coastal Commission to Vote on Pacific Airshow Permit

Additional Resources

• Los Angeles Times: Huntington Beach Deal Locks Up Pacific Airshow
• Wikipedia: Pacific Airshow
• Orange County Register: Huntington Beach Council Approves Air Show Deal
• Google Search: Pacific Airshow
• Fox 5 San Diego: Pilot Discusses Pacific Airshow
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Pacific Airshow
• LAist: Coastal Commission Approves Air Show Permit
• Google News: Huntington Beach Airshow

Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER

COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.