Air Festival organisers are feeling magnifique as the world-famous Breitling Jet Team have been confirmed to display at this summer’s aviation extravaganza. The jet team have not displayed at a UK civilian airshow for nearly 15years, they have never displayed on the south coast of England and, currently, the Air Festival is the only place you will see them this year in the UK!

Their three day displays and one Night Air dusk show have been made possible by long-standing festival supporter Morgan Sindall Investments Limited and this year will also be supported by Morgan Sindall Construction and Infrastructure (MSIL & MSC&I). Duncan Johnston Development Director on behalf of Morgan Sindall Investments said; “We have supported the Air Festival since 2011, the event itself continues to be innovative and leading and we really wanted to make sure this year there was something for people to talk about – what better than making the event international again with the Breitling Jet Team!

“The dusk display will be incredible and that helps develop what has become a real selling point for the event – we are delighted to be supporting the Breitling Jet Team’s display appearance and hope that festival goers are as excited as we are!”

The Breitling Jet Team are Europe’s largest professional civilian jet display team, based in Dijon France the team pilot seven Czech Aero L-39 Albatros jets. Their fast and powerful aircraft are piloted by incredible flying aces representing precision, speed and daring skill – at times the aircraft is within 3metres of each other at speeds of over 700km/h.

Headed up by Jacques Bothelin, the team will be displaying on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a special night air show scheduled for Saturday evening. Jacques said “On behalf of the Breitling Jet Team we cannot wait to display in Bournemouth this summer. We have heard about the festival within the airshow world and are delighted that we will be demonstrating our skill, precision and unique aviation skill for you all – see you soon!”

The team have displayed across the globe – from the Far East, South East Asia and the Middle East to Eastern Europe and, most recently, a two-year tour of North America and now they can add Bournemouth to the list!

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director said; “It’s great news! It’s a first for the resort, the event and the jet team. They haven’t displayed at a UK civilian air show for nearly 15 years show and, after eight years of trying to secure them, we are really excited to welcome them to Bournemouth – this really sets the tone of the strong line-up we have this year!”

Regarded as the UKs most successful civilian air show with brilliant day and night time entertainment in the skies, on land and in the evening, the 11th Air Festival, 30th August – 2nd September, is certainly set to be the event of the summer! For details visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk or follow the team on social media.

As thousands gathered for what could be summer’s last shout, the 10th Bournemouth Air Festival presented three full days of fantastic action in the air, on the ground and at sea. Taking place from 31 August – 3 September, this year’s festival featured a wide range of displays from WWII fighters and fast jets to parachute jumpers and wingwalkers. And it wasn’t just the daytime flying that wowed the crowds – dusk displays, pyrotechnics and live music meant that families could enjoy the action well into the evening. In celebration of 10 years, the award-winning event took on a very vintage feel – with historic aircraft across the weekend and culminating in a display of classic cars on the East Overcliff..

Now in its 10th year the event is stronger than ever with its value to the local economy estimated at more than £31million per year supporting 500 full time jobs. Records were broken with more than 15,000 ice creams sold in one day, an estimated 1,020 boats in the bay recorded by HM coastguard and approx 450,000 festival goers who attended ‘Super Saturday’.

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said: “The enduring success of the BAF is down to three things, having the world’s finest display arena, the amazing talents of the pilots and display teams and the wonderful support of the Armed Forces.

Despite a few scattered showers on the first day, all programmed displays took place as aircraft fans welcomed back festival favourites including the Blades, the Royal Air Force Chinook Display Team and aerobatic pilot, Gerald Cooper. Day one signed off in style with a performance from HM RM Band Collingwood in the Lower Gardens’ bandstand and live music on the beach.

Friday’s glorious dawn heralded a meet and greet with the RAF Red Arrows, who – thanks to sponsorship from Morgan Sindall – performed their awe-inspiring display every day except Sunday. Squadron Leader Mike Ling, Red 10, said: “The Red Arrows always feel at home in Bournemouth, we have such an affinity with the event and it’s been a privilege to take part in each of the ten festivals.”

The hot weather continued into Saturday, providing breath-taking views across the bay and the perfect backdrop for spectacular feats of derring-do. Firm friends of the festival the Tigers Parachute Display Team were back once again diving onto Bournemouth’s golden sands from knee-trembling heights and a solo Breitling Wingwalker limbered and flexed through the clear blue skies.

As well as the popular Red Arrows, high speed fun continued with jets including the MIG, Vampire Pair, Strikemasters and, back for the first time since 2009, the Russian Yakovlevs performed tandem twists and turns above the sparkling sea.

Dusk displays returned for another year with the Twister Duo, Otto the Helicopter and the Red Devils Parachute Regiment performed magical pyrotechnic displays against the weekend’s clear moonlit skies. Live music stages starring tribute acts and party bands, as well as children’s entertainment in the Lower Gardens and fireworks in the bay, completed the 2017 Night Air programme.

The forecast rain and high winds eventually set in on the final day but didn’t dampen the festival feel. The Royal Navy carried out their final amphibious beach assault demonstration and those who braved the weather, saw a selection of classic motors on the East Overcliff.

Although Sunday’s flying programme was cancelled, the spirit of the wartime tribute had already been honoured with a huge variety of historic aircraft across the weekend.

Hordes of enthusiasts had already seen a Hurricane, Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, the ever-popular Sally B and a Blenheim featured in recent Hollywood blockbuster, Dunkirk. The Great War Display Team also put on a magnificent show in their flying machines on both Saturday and Sunday.

As ever, armed forces support for Bournemouth’s biggest event was evident with military personnel and assets across the resort. The Royal Marine reservists’ impressive amphibious beach assault demonstrations were supported by the Royal Navy’s Primary Aviation Training Ship and Primary Casualty Receiving Facility (PCRF) RFA Argus, as well as Hawk jets and a Wildcat attack helicopter. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood also performed musical extravaganza, the Beat Retreat sunset ceremony, on the East Overcliff.

Overseeing his last BAF before retiring from the Navy after a 48-year career, Commodore Miller Royal Navy Regional Commander said: “I leave this role as Naval Regional Commander since 2004 with a legacy of which I’m proud.

“This major high profile event in Bournemouth is an important national public occasion for the Navy. It gives us, in uniform, the chance to tell the public what we do and why.

“It’s so rewarding to be appreciated, especially by the people of Bournemouth and others. When the chips are down and we’re at war for instance, this feeling gives us a morale boost and fortifies us knowing we are being supported back home.”

Bournemouth Air Festival is back again next year and dates are 30 August – 2 September 2018.

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Since the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight first flew at the 2008 Air Festival more than 8.5 million people have been entertained by almost 140 hours of display time performed by more than 55 teams and aircraft. The skies of Bournemouth and coastal bay have also hosted and welcomed The First Sea Lord, flotillas of RN ships, beach assaults, record breaking display teams and pilots, European military aircraft and chart topping music acts…and this summer organisers have promised a bumper display programme.

Said Air Festival Director, Jon Weaver; “We have achieved so much over the years, the highs and lows, awards and challenges – we can’t wait for this summer’s 10th event and, with our plan for more planes and more hours, hope everyone enjoys what we have planned!”

To celebrate the 10th Air Festival organisers are staging three shows on Thursday in the afternoon, evening and at dusk with the Red Arrows, supported by Morgan Sindall, kick starting the second of these shows at 6pm. This will be followed by their displays at 3.30pm on Friday and 12noon on Saturday.

There will be more jets performing than last year with two twin jet display teams – introduced last year the Strike Master pair with the Vampire pair and also returning is the MiG.

The much-missed Chinook is returning for the weekend and for those who missed them last year, because of the windy weather, the Great War Display Team and B25 Mitchell return as well.

On Sunday there will be a special very vintage display day featuring the SallyB, Mustang P51 and The Navy Swordfish in addition to the vintage aircraft already announced.

The Navy’s ongoing commitment to the Festival will include a flotilla of ships, Royal Marines demonstrations, extensive military village area and a Thursday evening concert in the Lower Gardens Bandstand from Royal Marines Band, HM RM Band Collingwood. Commodore Jamie Miller said; “2017 will be another great year and give us the opportunity to showcase what we do best!”

RAF assets alongside the Red Arrows will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Chinook and RAF Village area. Red 1, Team Leader Dave Montenegro said; “Congratulations to everyone who has been involved with the Bournemouth Air Festival, it is one of our favourite venues to display at and we’re looking forward to being part of the celebrations in August!”

The Breitling Wingwalkers, Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team (making daily jumps from an incredible 6,000ft and freefalling at 120mph), SallyB, Xtreme and Blades Aerobatic Display Team, complete the display programme to date.

In the evening Night Air welcomes Royal Navy Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony and Royal Marines unarmed combat displays (Fri and Sat), dusk flying displays from the Red Devils, Otto and Twister Duo – finishing with fireworks on Friday and Saturday. Completing the sky-high evening entertainment don’t forget the Red Arrows display at 6pm on Thursday.

The ever-popular Night Air music entertainment will be announced early July.

With brilliant day and night time entertainment on land, out at sea and in the air the 2017 10th Air Festival is certainly set to be the event of the summer!

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

In celebration of this summer’s 10th Air Festival, organisers have partnered with local digital agency Createful to redesign and build a new look website, bournemouthair.co.uk, intended to embrace the event’s unique festival atmosphere.

For use on mobile, tablet and desktop, the website utilises stunning visuals from past festivals and a striking colour scheme incorporating red, white and blue. The new interface is easy to navigate and user-friendly with tips on how to plan your visit, option to pre-order this year’s bumper souvenir programme, purchase hospitality tickets and, once available, access to the live flying display schedule.

With more than 1.2 million webpage visits during 2016 it is imperative that the site is not only mobile friendly but also built to handle high volumes of visitor traffic. Createful have ensured the website is extremely lightweight to avoid slow loading times by using a number of digital techniques including auto-scaling and caching content.

Kriss Bennett, Createful’s Managing Director, said; “We are delighted to have worked on such a fantastic, high profile event. Our team is proud to have delivered a site which reflects the prestigious nature of the Air Festival, as well as providing visitors with a seamless experience in accessing all of the information relating to the exciting events and activities being delivered throughout the week.”

Jon Weaver Air Festival Director added; “We hope everyone likes the new website, we listened to feedback about the previous site and absorbing Createful’s expertise have created a website which we hope reflects what visitors want. We are really excited about this year’s festival – we are planning to have more aircraft and flying hours than any other year which will include a first for our flying programme!”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Following a weekend of mixed weather conditions, the ninth Bournemouth Air Festivalcame to a spectacular close on Sunday witha show-stopping finale from a trio ofRAF aircraft–the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and Typhoon. Taking place over four days from 18 – 21 August, festival-goers enjoyedhighlights including the Swiss Super Puma Display Team, Red Arrows on all four days, demonstrations from the armed forces on the ground and at sea, Otto the Helicopter and Bournemouth’s first ever Typhoon dusk display.

With the opening and closing dayshailed as the busiest ever for the internationally renowned festival, total visitor numbers were estimatedat702,300 over the course of the weekend. In spite of inclement weather, Friday still saw a packed programme of air displays in the afternoon and a busy evening of Night Air entertainment. Although worsening conditions forced the cancellation of earlier daytime displays on Saturday, the valiant pilots rewarded dedicated Air Festival fans with a special early evening display that included the Red Arrows and Royal Navy Black Cats, Hawks and Merlin before clouds and rain closed in to halt the scheduled ‘Sunsets on the Beach’ live music event. By Sunday, the festival was well and truly back on track and once more record crowds turned out for an impressive climax to the weekend.

This year’s festival featured more than 15 display teams and 40 aircraft supported by more than 55 ground crew. Among a variety of RAF assets, including the Black Cats and Typhoon, theever-popular Red Arrows – sponsored by Morgan Sindall – appeared on all four days and attracted unprecedented numbers of admirers at the pilots’ meet and greet.

Alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight sponsored by Spitfire Lager, the B-25N Mitchell sponsored by the Highcliff Marriott and Sally B sponsored by BH Live flew in tribute to the historic aircraft of bygone days.

Aerobatics came courtesy of The Blades sponsored by the Daily Echo, Gerald Cooper in his Xtreme Air XA41 sponsored by the Hotel Miramar,StrikemasterMk82A sponsored by the Littledown Centre and the daring Breitling Wingwalkers. Returning for another year, the Tigers Freefall Parachute Display Team, sponsored by Bournemouth Airport, jumped from eye-watering heights onto the sand in front of adoring crowds.

A relatively new and extremely popular addition to the festival programme, this year’sNight Air dusk displays – sponsored by the Air Festival Patrons Club – starred the Fireflies Aerobatic Display Team, Otto the helicopter, Aerosparx, the Red Devils Parachute Regiment Freefall Team and, for the first time, the Typhoon – lighting up the night skies with its impressive after burn. Fireworks on Friday and Saturday evening provided the perfect end to the evening displays. The patrons also support the 2016 Forces nominated charities – the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity, ABF – The Soldiers Charity and the Jon Egging Trust.

As well as the Royal Netherlands Air Force Historical Flight operating the B-25N Mitchell, this year’s international guests included Swiss Air Force Super Puma sponsored by The Cumberland.Captain MatthieuGhiringhellisaid:”On behalf of the Swiss Air  Force and Super Puma Display Team, a big thank you to everyone who has helped to make our first display at Bournemouth Air Festival so fantastic – from the Festival Makers and Events Team to everyone who has come to watch us. It has been a brilliant show – we have thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and we hope to be back next year.”

Once again, the Air Festival was honoured to welcome back the armed forces – now a major contributor to the event. As well as a variety of stalls in their beachfront village area, the Royal Navy brought a spectacular flotilla of ships to Bournemouth Bay. The Royal Marine reservists conducted another series of crowd-pleasing amphibious assaults on the beaches and the Band of HM RM Collingwood performed a musical spectacular on the Wave 105 live stage at Boscombe Beach.This year also saw a new mini tattoo on the clifftop featuring the beat retreat sunset ceremony, Queen’s Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regiment) and unarmed combat demonstrations from the Royal Marine reservists.

Commodore Jamie Miller said: “It has been a delight and a privilege for the naval service to once again support the UK’s premier Air Festival here in Bournemouth. It has been a hugely successful event and a perfect showcase for the Royal Navy. BZ BAF!!”

The success of the Air Festival’s ninth consecutive year reinforces its status as Europe’s largest public aviation event and its unique reputation as the UK’s biggest free family air show.

Councillor Lawrence Williams, portfolio holder for tourism, said: “Naturally, I love the Air Festival and this year’s exhibition from aviation artist, David Bent, at the Russell-Cotes added another dimension for me and many other art lovers. After Saturday’s hiccup with the weather, I am delighted that Sunday’s display programme was able to take place against the backdrop of Bournemouth’s trademark blue skies. We owe much of the success of this year’s festival to the Royal Navy and armed forces for their commitment and resilience in the face of adversity.”

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism for Bournemouth, said: “The weather presented a particular challenge this year but the event still goes from strength to strength with records broken on both the Thursday and Sunday. We managed to beat the weather with flying displays on every day thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of our experienced flying director and his team, all of the magnificent pilots and crew, as well as event and safety staff including our partners in the emergency services. We are grateful to the public for their patience, cooperation and keenness over the course of the weekend and we are proud to have closed Bournemouth’s ninth Air Festival with such an impressiveprogramme of displays.”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Details announced for the four day extravaganza of land, sea and air display entertainment at the UK’s leading seaside resort… it’s more than just an air show!

23^rd June 2016: Back to impress the hundreds of thousands of avid fans who annually flock to the UK’s leading seaside resort, the skies of Bournemouth will hosting displays from the awesome RAF Red Arrows and the mighty Typhoon, SallyB and The Blades , to name but a few, supported with a multitude of land, sea and air Royal Navy assets, Pier-to-Pier county show trading stalls and Wave105 staging three nights of music, including a ‘proms on the beach’ style concert, the best chart acts and a celebration of dance music.

New performances for 2016 come from the B25Mitchell Bomber, Strike Master and awe-inspiring Swiss Air Force Super Puma Helicopter Display Team. Display Pilot Captain Matthieu Ghiringhelli said; “On behalf of the Swiss Air Force I am delighted we will be participating at this summer’s Bournemouth Air Festival – we have heard great things about the event on the air show circuit.  I hope visitors will enjoy watching the incredible agility demonstrated by the Super Puma Display Team – see you in August!”

The Red Arrows, supported by Morgan Sindall, will be performing at the festival and visitors can see the breath-taking team in action at the set time of 1545 (3.45pm) on all four days.

With the presence of Admiral Sir George Michael Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy at last year’s event, the Navy’s ongoing commitment to the festival is confirmed with four warships, a large amphibious command ship complete with helicopters, Royal Marines and landing craft and Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team. The famous amphibious beach assault demonstrations and beachfront Royal Navy Village are back again, all bolstered tremendously by world class music from the Royal Marines Band, HM RM Band Collingwood.

Commander Steve Henagan said; “2016 will demonstrate yet another superb concentration of Naval force. On land, at sea and in the air, we look forward to showcasing what we do best!”

RAF assets alongside the Red Arrows and Typhoon will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and fantastic interactive RAF Village. RAF Wing Commander Heather Ratnage-Black said; “Wing Commander Heather Ratnage-Black said; “The Air Festival is a high priority event for the Royal Air Force, in terms of audience numbers it’s perfect for showcasing our aircraft and offers a first class arena for engaging with the public.  The event allows the public the opportunity to talk directly to our personnel and discuss the opportunities to have a career within the Service, in over 50 roles ranging from engineering to catering.”

Last seen in 2013, the Breitling Wingwalkers are returning with the ever-popular Tigers Parachute Team making daily jumps from an amazing 6,000feet freefalling at an incredible 120mph! Not forgetting the SallyB, Twister Duo and The Blades.

Tigers Captain, Ian Wicks said; “Bournemouth is the highlight in our display year. The crowds are fantastic, the reception, the organisers and staff are awesome. It sets the precedent for all other air shows!”

A revamped Night Air programme welcomes a mini tattoo on the East Overcliff (Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening) with the brilliant RAF Queens Colour Squadron, alongside the Royal Navy Beat Retreat sunset ceremony and unarmed combat displays by the Royal Marines.

In the skies will be fantastic dusk displays from the Red Devils and O’Briens Flying Circus starring Otto The Helicopter, as well as Team Fire Flies and Aerosparx, both bringing formation flying and pyrotechnics to the evening display programme.
This year’s Night Air entertainment, with Wave105, runs across three nights (Thursday 18, Friday 19 and Saturday 20 August). It includes fireworks at 10pm on Friday and Saturday, along with three fantastic music nights created to spread the entertainment across all generations.

Thursday evening will be a very British affair with a ‘Musical Spectacular’ performed by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood, Friday night is ‘Pop Night’, sponsored by Shorefield Holiday Parks and Saturday night ‘Sunset on the Beach’ is the official, not-to-be-missed, beach party with Halo. Tickets start from £10.

With day and night time entertainment on land, out at sea and in the air, displays from old favourites, a Bournemouth debut for some new faces as well as a great soon-to-be-announced Wave105 line up, the 2016 Air Festival is certainly set to be the event of the summer!

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

With a record-breaking 1300 boats in the bay on Saturday alone and total numbers topping 3/4 million, the award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival, supported by Kier, enjoyed its eighth year (20-23 August) in spite of weather extremes – welcoming new displays from the MiG 15 and Hawk T2 Role Demo Team as well as an emotional farewell from festival favourite, the Vulcan against a backdrop of a flotilla of Royal Navy ships.

Two glorious days on Friday and Saturday and unexpectedly clear skies on Sunday attracted wide eyed visitors to the UK’s largest free festival, to enjoy displays from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Chinook, Tutor, Black Cats, Twister Duo, Tigers Parachute Display Team, Eurofighter Typhoon, B-17 Flying Fortress, Blades Aerobatic Display Team and Sea Vixen. While the world-renowned Red Arrows stole the show as usual performing on all four days, 2015 also saw the welcome return of the Matadors Display Team and Patrouille Reva. The keenly awaited Vulcan XH558 gave two star turns in her spectacular final farewell to mixed emotions from South Coast fans on both Saturday and Sunday.

Kenneth Aarkvisla, flying the MiG 15 in her first appearance at Bournemouth, said: “It was fantastic to see such a huge crowd here! It’s a beautiful place to fly. We would definitely like to come back!”

RAF Typhoon Display Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jonny Dowen, said: “Bournemouth is the biggest show of the year – it’s been awesome!”

This year’s new and improved Night Air programme kept the festival flowing into the evening with a host of musical entertainment over three nights at Wave105’s Boscombe Seafront stage. Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood headlined on Thursday with a special, sea-inspired proms-on-the-beach performance. Friday welcomed a pop music extravaganza with performances from Alesha Dixon, Fuse OGD, Scouting for Girls, Sarah Harding and Lawson. Saturday took crowds on a jet-propelled journey through 25 years of dance music, with live sets from Artful (Mark Hill from Artful Dodger), K-Klass, Black Box, Livin’ Joy and Karen Harding.

The musical entertainment was accompanied by thrilling night-time air displays from the Red Devils Parachute Team, Aerosparx – a brand new pyrotechnic and LED display team – and a debut performance at Bournemouth from the Fire Flies displaying alongside O’Brien’s Flying Circus.

Building on support from the military in previous years, the Royal Navy increased their presence in Bournemouth for 2015. As well as the armed forces’ villages, featuring recruitment stands and meet and greet opportunities, the Royal Navy displayed more ships than ever before including HMS Iron Duke, offering ship visits to hundreds of members of the public and organising one of their largest practical training weekends of the year. Royal Marines Commandos entertained crowds with beach assault and unarmed combat demonstrations as well as the atmospheric Beating Retreat Sunset Ceremony performed by HM Royal Marines Band Collingwood.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, said: “Bournemouth’s wonderful seafront has provided a magnificent stage for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to demonstrate what we can do at sea, in the air and over the land. None of this was just for show – it’s indicative of what our sailors and marines are doing right now, on operations at home and around the world. Britain is an island nation, a trading nation, with global ambition. So the Royal Navy is working to keep the maritime motorways flowing, to keep British citizens safe, and to protect and advance our interests in this age of global opportunity. I would like to thank the Council, local businesses and the entire community for making us so welcome. We’ve had a wonderful time – we hope you did too – and you can count on us to be back in 2016!”

Recently awarded VisitEngland’s UK Tourism Event of the Year, Bournemouth Air Festival creates an estimated 500 full-time jobs and brings over £30million to the local economy. In addition, the festival receives support from business sponsors including Festival Partner, Kier. It has also built Bournemouth’s profile on an international stage.

Dale Wood, Kier Partnership Director for Bournemouth said: “We’re proud to have been part of this year’s spectacular Air Festival and credit is due to the organisers who put on such a great show for both local residents and visitors. The festival brings a lot of value to the town and supports our commitment with Bournemouth Council to boost local economic growth. We would encourage more companies to support the festival next year – whether it’s as a sponsor or patron – it’s an incredible event for us all to be part of.”

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism said: “The Air Festival has received recognition at a national level with the 2015 VisitEngland Best National Event award and we know that Bournemouth residents are proud to be the hosts for such a popular, World Class event. It’s always wonderful to see local families and visitors alike enjoying the breathtaking displays and on-the-ground entertainment. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the amazing work by the dedicated and highly professional Bournemouth Tourism Events Team, to extensive Council backing and to all the local emergency services and armed forces. We are extremely grateful to Festival Partner, Kier, for their financial support and long may the resounding success of the event continue. Confirmed dates for 2016 are 18-21 August – we hope to see you all again next year!”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

A breath-taking historic flypast, commando crushing Royal Marines, daring Black Cat display, Royal Marine buglers and Army canon announced the fantastic opening of the much anticipated 2015 Bournemouth Air Festival, sponsored by Kier.

The ceremony, announcing the start of the UK’s Tourism Event of the Year, was attended by Major General Martin Smith, RAF Group Captain Sanger-Davies, Brigadier Bennett and the Mayor of Bournemouth Councillor John Adams with guests treated to first class performances by all participating forces.

Bringing a host of land, sea and air assets including a stunning flotilla of ships and hosting the first Proms on the Beach, Major General Martin Smith said; “I’m delighted that we are able to support this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival. It presents a marvellous opportunity for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines to demonstrate some of our capabilities to such a huge audience.”

He added; “I hope you will take time to speak to our sailors and marines, both regular and reserve, and find out more about the Royal Navy. We want you to hear the roar of our helicopters and feel the salt spray from our landing craft as the Royal Marines storm ashore. We belong to you and we are very proud to be able to show you what we get up to when we are protecting UK interests worldwide.”

The RAF, ever present with a stunning line-up of full allocation of aircraft at the festival including the new Hawk T2 Role Demo Team, Typhoon and world famous Red Arrows, welcomed the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane and Spitfire to the launch ceremony. Group Captain Sanger-Davies said; “The Air Festival is one of our annual flagship events. Its sheer size and scale makes it a fantastic stage for us to showcase what the RAF does on a day-to-day basis and hopefully entertain you with some incredible aerial displays. There’s a fantastic allocation of RAF assets here and we look forward to showing you what we can do in the air and on the ground. For those considering career options or ready to make the commitment, there’s a great opportunity to find out more about the exciting range of careers available in the Royal Air Force, both full-time and spare-time. ”

The ceremony was also an opportunity for guests to watch the Royal Marines Commando Recruiting Team perform their unarmed combat demonstrations. Dale Wood, Kier partnership director for Bournemouth and Air Festival Partner sponsor said; “It’s incredibly exciting to be sponsoring this year’s Air Festival and we’re looking forward to enjoying the displays with residents and visitors. We’re now in our third year of sponsoring the event and are very proud to be helping to bring value to the town through the festival and ultimately boosting local economic growth.”

Councillor Lawrence Williams, Tourism Portfolio Holder added; “To have such superb support and ongoing commitment from the Armed Forces, and to be welcoming back the First Sea Lord, really shows how far we have come over the last seven years. We are the National Tourism Event of the year and I can’t wait for the next four days!”

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

Get ready for take off – the award-winning Bournemouth Air Festival takes place next month and organisers are delighted to confirm this year’s Red Arrows times.

Make sure you’re here for incredible performances from the world famous display team Thursday 20th, Friday 19th, Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, at the following times:

Thursday 20 August: 2.15pm
Friday 21 August: 3pm
Saturday 22 August: 1.45pm
Sunday 23 August: 3pm

Air Festival Director, Jon Weaver, said: “It’s fantastic the Royal Air Force has again allocated us 4-days of superb Red Arrow displays. We are officially the UKs best national Tourism Event and to have such great continued support from the military, sponsors, visitors and festival goers all contributes to our continued success.”

With more aircraft and display teams to be announced, as well as Wave105 Night Air music line-up it’s set to be another not to be missed Air Festival!

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

*Please note times are subject to change.

Bournemouth Air Festival, sponsored by Mouchel, has won the coveted Gold in the Tourism Event of the Year at the most prestigious awards in English tourism, the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2015.

Other finalists in this hard fought category were The Cotswold Show and Food Festival, Mallard 75 at the National Railway Museum, Northumbrian Water/Kielder Winter Wonderland, Leapish Waterside Park and Vintage by the Sea at The Midland.

Mark Smith, Director of Tourism Bournemouth, said; “We’re absolutely delighted to win gold in the Tourism Event of the Year. Being part of the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence cements Bournemouth Air Festival’s reputation as one of the premier events in the national and international calendar.

“The Bournemouth Air Festival encapsulates the spirit of modern Bournemouth as a world-class experience. This free festival brings together the thrill of gravity-defying displays in the air and an abundance of family entertainment on the ground against the spectacular backdrop of the UK’s best seaside resort.”

Bournemouth Air Festival 2014 attracted over 1.2 million festival-goers, generating in excess of £25m for the town and creating over 350 full-time jobs.

This year’s Bournemouth Air Festival is from 20-23 August 2015. This summer the skies of Bournemouth are set again to host some of the world’s best military and civilian aviation display teams and a huge off shore naval presence. When the sun goes down, Night Air entertainment will light up the skies of the UK’s leading coastal resort with night flying illuminated by pyrotechnics and the moon. For more details, visit www.bournemouthair.co.uk.