Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach Project

The Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach Project is a spectacle-scale annual event managed by the City of Huntington Beach, featuring civilian and military aircraft flybys, aerial acrobatics, air racing, and drone shows. The project scope includes the construction of a temporary beach airstrip for helicopter displays, the installation of hangars for electric vehicle and drone technology, and the provision of live music, food trucks, and other visitor amenities. The event is planned to occur annually for three to five days, typically between Wednesday and Sunday, with flight practice and familiarization beginning as early as the Monday of the event week. This program is authorized for continuation for up to ten additional years, spanning from 2024 through 2034, subject to the City's Specific Event Permit Process. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), with a Final Environmental Impact Report and a Notice of Determination confirming that the event will not have a significant environmental effect. Operational requirements include the submission of an annual Pollution Protection Plan and the provision of over 100 portable and ADA-compliant bathrooms. Safety is managed by the pilot in command for all flight operations, and specific insurance and encroachment permits are required for any full lane closures of the Pacific Coast Highway. The project site is divided into the Show Center Area and the Airshow Performance Area, with the Show Center bounded by 7th Street, Beach Blvd, PCH, and the Pacific Ocean.