An international flypast over Dublin city centre features aircraft old and new.
Aircraft representing almost every decade since 1930 take to the Dublin skies in FlightFest, Europe's biggest flypast. FlightFest draws over 100,000 people to the quays of Dublin City. The festival celebrating aircraft involves 30 planes sweeping up the Liffey between the East Link Bridge and the Talbot Memorial Bridge.
Participants in the festival of flight include, among others, Aer Lingus, Ryanair and British Airways as well as the Irish Air Corps, Irish Coast Guard and Royal Air Force.
A temporary air traffic control centre is in operation in the Dublin City especially for the event. All of the aircraft have special permission to fly through the city centre at 800 feet.
FlightFest is a partnership between the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Dublin City Council. The event is in conjunction with the Gathering 2013.
Following months of planning Chief Executive of the IAA Eamonn Brennan is delighted with the turn out. The weather is also being kind,
All the Child of Pragues that the IAA purchased over the last month has come true.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar comments on the importance of aviation to the Irish economy. He believes FlightFest is,
A good day for the Gathering as well and helping to generate economic growth.
To the delight of spectators, the event closes with the star of the show, the British Airways operated double decker Airbus A380, the world’s largest commercial aircraft.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 September 2013. The reporter is Ray Kennedy.
