Atlantic City Airshow will not go on

The year's Atlantic City Airshow could not be saved, it seems.

Reports that the annual extravaganza of flight would not go on came out in March.

But it was met by the city's mayor, who tried to clear the runway by using relationships he has within the state.

The South Jersey Transportation Association promised $300,000 to fund the event, while the Atlantic City International Airport would act as presenter.

Mayor Marty Small never gave a definitive answer that the show would go on.

"If I were a betting man, I'd say, 'See you on the Boardwalk mid-August,'" he said in March.

It now appears it's a good thing he did not wager on it.

“We regret to announce the cancellation of the 2024 Visit Atlantic City Airshow due to a major act withdrawing from the Airshow," the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, in association with Visit Atlantic City and the South Jersey Transportation Authority said in a joint statement.

They did not say who the major act was.

The signature Thunderbirds alerted the show in December that they are no longer doing weekday events, so would not be attending.

"This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the disappointment it may cause," the joint statement continued. "We extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have supported this event over the past number of years.”

The airshow brings in thousands of spectators to the beaches each year, and "is essential to the success of the city's economy," the mayor said back in March.

He accepted the airshow's fate Wednesday.

"We're sorry to hear the news the airshow won't be happening this summer," Small said. "The Small administration did everything that needed to be done to save the airshow earlier this years, but in the end, this is a situation beyond the city's control."

The planners previously talked about the event to a weekend during a shoulder season month, possibly May, June or September.

That would also clear the way for the Blue Angels to return as well.

Plans are done two years in advance, so the soonest a change would happen is 2026.