Research shows 74 per cent of air show attendees come from outside the area and inject more than $7 million into the local economy during the major event now in its 12^th year.

2019 is the sixth year Bright Events have run the air show originally started by Shellharbour City Council to help showcase the aircraft at the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society (HARS).

The event has tripled in size under Mark and Kerry Bright's management to become the largest annual air show in Australia, the second largest regional event in NSW and the largest tourism event in the Illawarra and South Coast.

More than 5000 people attended 12 years ago, 9000 people six years ago and 35,000 in 2018.

Mark Bright is confident of hitting 40,000 during the first weekend in May and Mrs Bright thinks 38,000 is achievable. She said staging such a huge event that costs Bright Events $1.4 million to stage would no be possible without the 65 volunteers and all the other supporters such as Destination NSW, Viva Energy Australia, QBE Insurance, Fly Corporate, McDonalds Illawarra, Warrigal, CASA, Liberty Recycling, Shellharbour City Council, Shellharbour Tourism, Splashdown Services, Illawarra Business Chamber, Illawarra Production Services, Illawarra Mercury and Australian Aviation Magazine.

Illawarra aerobatic pilot Chris Clark, of Southern Biplane Adventures performed an aerobatic display in his 1943 Boeing-Stearman at the launch to give a taste of what to expect at Wings Over Illawarra on May 4 and 5. And HARS Aviation Museum flew ITS Lockheed Neptune.

"In 2019 we have entered into an agreement with HARS who will provide free access to their aircraft. We want Wings Over Illawarra to be seen as the most affordable family day out on the South Coast," Mrs Bright said.

Shellharbour mayor Marianna Saliba said another great thing about the major event that attracts many thousands of visitors to Shellharbour was its accessibility by public transport.

Cr Saliba said people can catch a train and the walk from the railway stations is shorter than if you catch a train to Sydney Airport and walk from the platform to a terminal.

Mrs Bright said Winds Over Illawarra will be worth a visit even if you have been before.

"This will be the first time many of the aircraft taking part in the airshow will be seen in the Illawarra, in particular the new Pilatus PC-21 RAAF training aircraft that the RAAF Roulette's will be displaying," she said

"There will also be an impressive line-up of other notable Australian Defence Force aircraft, including fast jets such as the Hawk plus the C-17 Globemaster, C-130 Hercules, C-27 Spartan and of course frontline Navy and Army helicopters all taking part in the action over the weekend" she said.

Mrs Bright said there will be a great mix of activities in the air and on the ground at Illawarra Regional Airport on May 4 and 5.

This year's program includes classic warbirds such as the Spitfire MK.XVI, CA-18 Mk21 Mustang, Mk XII/IIB Hawker Hurricane, TBM-3E Grumman Avenger and classic jet fighter the CA-27 Sabre MK32.

There will also be heart-stopping aerobatics from Red Bull air-racer Matt Hall and stunt pilot Paul Bennet.

On the ground there will be free unlimited carnival rides for all ages, world class freestyle motocross displays, classic cars and for the first time complimentary access to all Historical Aircraft Restoration Society aircraft.

Information and tickets at www.wingsoverillawarra.com.au.