Record-breaking event unveils this summer’s fantastic line-up

March 17, 2010

The record-breaking Bournemouth Air Festival was sensationally launched today at the Odeon cinema, in Bournemouth.  Attend by local business people and with members of the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, the launch was the exclusive chance for guests to find out what can be expected at this summer’s most anticipated event.

From 19^th – 22^nd August, holiday makers, residents and day visitors will be encouraged to stay longer and see more of the UK’s leading resort – with more great aircraft planned, new additions to the Night Air evening programme and increased support from the Armed Forces.

Ready to demonstrate their capabilities both out at sea and onshore, the Royal Navy is set to be bigger and better. Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Marine Commando Display Team will be mounting an amphibious assault on the beach, RFA Largs Bay and HMS Bangor (open to visitors) will be in the bay and onshore at the Royal Navy village, there will be more kit, more activity, more music and more people.

In the skies the Royal Navy Black Cat Helicopter Team, lead by the first female leader Lt Becky Frater, will be impressing the crowds.  This is not forgetting evening entertainment from the Royal Marine Commando Display Team and ‘beat retreat’ performed by Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Band in the Lower Gardens.

Said Commodore Jamie Miller CBE; “The Air Festival is a truly unique event, and for us in 2010 this is the only event in the country receiving this level of Royal Navy presence – it’s great for us and great for Bournemouth.”

The much anticipated Red Arrows will be making three displays Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the provisional times of 4.30pm, 12noon and 4pm respectively.

The world-renowned team, this year with their first female pilot Flt Lt Kirsty Moore, will be joined in the display programme by the heart pounding Eurofighter Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which this year celebrates its 70^th anniversary,  Hawk jet, Tucano and Tutor all ready to take to the skies.

Commented Wing Commander Stuart Williams; “After two years of incredible success, the RAF is looking forward to this summer’s Air Festival; the allocated RAF air and village assets, incredible visitor numbers and superb crowd feedback now makes this one of our leading aviation events in the UK.

Along with tremendous military support, the Air Festival organisers have planned for better communication and interaction with the hundreds and thousands of visitors, creating Air Festival TV, working to develop a unique mobile phone application and BBC Radio Solent’s programming on 1359MW which will feature full Air Festival commentary – if you can’t make the event you can catch over 12hours of air displays in the comfort of your own home.

Air Festival Director Jon Weaver said, “Last year we were bigger and better, but 2010 will see so much more happening to the Festival itself – from greater military support to the technological advances and the new Patrons scheme launched to get business involved and supporting the Festival.  We are certainly taking the UK’s biggest free aviation event to new levels of interaction and visitor experience.

The daytime programme doesn’t end with the aircraft, until 10pm Thursday – Saturday evening’s Festival goers can enjoy ‘Night Air’ entertainment in the Lower Gardens.  This year this is set to include, with the Royal Navy programme, an evening to night time air display, live music, balloon glow, street entertainers, fireworks and aviation inspired film screenings.

Added Jon; “On top of everything announced today we even have ambitious plans for an international display team – we have recently attended the European Airshow Convention and the presentation made to potential teams has inspired them to find out more about the 2010 Festival. I am always impressed at what has been achieved and it seems our success is taking us to new levels of international interest!”