BOURNEMOUTH Air Festival favourites The Blades have announced the team has come to an end.
In a statement released on Monday, January 23, the aerobatic display team said “challenges to global economies” and the cost of living crisis had “exacerbated” the challenges facing The Blades.
It said last year was its final full season as the business model had become “unsustainable”.
The team has appeared at Bournemouth Air Festival a number of times through the years.
With heavy hearts, we are announcing that 2022 was the final full season for The Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
— The Blades (@thebladesteam) January 23, 2023
The decision has not been taken lightly. The Blades have been important and iconic for the business since 2Excel was founded.
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The statement said: "With heavy hearts, 2Excel Aviation is announcing that 2022 was the final full season for The Blades Aerobatic Display Team.
“The decision has not been taken lightly. The Blades have been important and iconic for the business since 2Excel was founded.
“They debuted in 2006 and have been the one constant during the Company’s expansion from just four aeroplanes and five people to the 30 aircraft and almost 500 employees the Group comprises today.”
“While it will never feel like the right time to draw a line under this world-class team – the epitome of aerial excellence – the challenges to global economies, the worsening cost-of-living crisis and the protracted hit to disposable incomes this is causing have exacerbated the challenges facing The Blades.”
“This comes amid the continued degradation of the air show circuit, with more and more events being lost, meaning fewer opportunities to display and showcase our sponsors to the public.”
It continued: “Together, these factors prompted 2Excel’s Board to consider the future of The Blades. Regrettably, we concluded it is an unsustainable business model and, in the best interests of all our employee-owners, we needed to take action and redeploy our resources elsewhere within our fast-growing company.
“We are seeking to honour all existing bookings.”
2Excel Aviation said it hoped The Blades and support staff will be retained and redeployed within the business and consultations are “ongoing”.
Andy Offer, 2Excel’s co-founder and director, said it had been the “greatest pleasure” to entertain everyone and provide ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experiences.
He said: “During the 17 flying seasons the Blades delivered, millions of people saw the team display and thousands have ridden onboard our aircraft. We owe a great debt of gratitude to every one of them. But, most importantly, we must pay tribute to the pilots who have flown with the team and to the ground staff who supported them over the years – especially to those who delivered the final season in 2022 with The Blades’ traditional professionalism and flair. They will be missed.”
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