Bournemouth Air Festival 2010

Awesome air displays, attractions and fantastic evening entertainment – Bournemouth is ready to welcome you to the UK’s biggest free aviation Festival!

19th - 22nd August 2010 - BY THE SEA & COMPLETELY FREE!

Thanks to a first class entertainment programme, excellent weather and a perfect arena, the 2009 More Bus Bournemouth Air Festival has exceeded all expectations, with over one and a quarter million visitor numbers to the UK’s leading resort - and dates for next year have just been announced.

An estimated audience of 1,344,000 were enthralled by the day and night time programme setting a new visitor record for Bournemouth. The decision to host a third Air Festival was made by the Bournemouth Tourism Management Board, the organisation that brings together the town’s trade and Council. Led by Chairman Alex Carter, Managing Director of Wilts and Dorset, the dates have been confirmed for 19th – 22nd August 2010.

Alex said; “We have without a doubt achieved our key objectives for this year, which was to build on last year’s success and cement the reputation of the Bournemouth Air Festival as the biggest and best free aviation event in the UK – I think it’s fair to say that now, the event is unlike anything worldwide. It is a credit to everyone who gets involved, making it such an incredible success – if it was a paid event, it would be a sell out”.

The Festival attracted 50% more people than last year and has been a phenomenal success. The Red Bull Matadors, Kitty Hawk, Mustang and Spitfire combination were new additions to the Festival line-up, with a record breaking three displays by the Avro Vulcan, which has never been done at any one single event. Said Martin Withers, Chief Pilot for Vulcan To The Sky Trust; “Bournemouth is a beautiful place to display with the superb crowd line, knowing that there are hundreds of thousands of people watching is a pure joy – the Vulcan effect has taken hold of Bournemouth!

Reinforcing the Festival’s top flight reputation this year has been incredible support from the Forces, with thrilling displays from the RAF, beach assaults by the Royal

Marines, RFA Mounts Bay receiving visitors, interactive RAF Royal Navy Villages, Army assault course, tanks and Red Arrows meet and greets.

Commented Jas Hawker, Red 1; “When you’re looping and rolling above one of the prettiest beaches and best crowds - it doesn’t get much better!”

Taking visitors through to the evening, ‘Night Air’ entertainment has encouraged more people to stay and enjoy the resort experience, making the Festival a unique stand alone event that sets itself above and beyond other air shows. Planning has already started for 2010 with the aim of hosting and staging another incredible triumph – for visitors, local residents and everyone who is involved.

The economic contribution from the Bournemouth Air Festival is expected to exceed £30million, generating 650 more new jobs for the resort over the past two years.

Major Cliff Dare, Royal Marines commented; “Perfect weather, immaculate venue, and smoothly run to perfection ensures the Air Festival is a unique event in the calendar.”

Click here to see video footage of last year's event.