Thruxton responds to Hampshire Air Festival cancelation

The Hampshire Air Festival 2026 has been cancelled just days before it was set to take place at Thruxton Aerodrome on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Organisers, Montserrat Events & Festivals Ltd, issued a statement on Monday, September 7, saying the reason for cancellation is that the business was entering liquidation, with the directors "taking independent legal and insolvency advice."

Thruxton Circuit was set to host the two-day aviation festival in its first year, but the circuit said they had nothing to do with the process.

A spokesperson for Thruxton Circuit said: "Thruxton has been informed that next weekend’s Hampshire Air Festival has been cancelled by the organiser, Montserrat Events.

"Thruxton would like to make clear that the Hampshire Air Festival is not a Thruxton event; the airfield had been hired by Montserrat Events as a venue to host the Air Festival.

"Thruxton is disappointed that the organisers have taken this decision just five days before the Festival is due to take place.

"Thruxton has no knowledge of Montserrat’s ticketing arrangements and therefore cannot advise ticket holders about any refund procedure. All enquiries should be addressed to Montserrat Events."

People and businesses are being invited to sponsor the first Hampshire Air Festival. (Image: DroneSwarm)

Earlier this year, organisers said almost 10 per cent of tickets had already been sold. Event founder and chief executive Jonathan Moore said the response from early supporters had been encouraging for the first Hampshire Air Festival.

One ticket holder who paid £42 a ticket said he received an email on September 7 informing him that the event had been cancelled.

The company has not set out how long the liquidation process may take or when further information will be provided.

Suppliers and other parties with claims or enquiries are expected to receive further information from the company as the process continues.