Bournemouth Air Festival

Now in it’s 12th year, the Bournemouth Air Festival is the UK’s biggest free aviation festival. In 2019 this popular event will take place from 29th August till 1st September 2019.

Unfortunately Air Festival favourites the RAF RED ARROWS will not be at this years festival due to other commitments. However there will be plenty of other great acts appearing, and all for FREE!

So what’s on and when?…..

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘In the Air’ Displays…

Returning for 2019 is the RAF TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM who will be performing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and one dusk display!

The RN BLACK CAT HELICOPTER DISPLAY TEAM were last seen in the skies of Bournemouth in 2016 so it’s great to see them back in 2019!

The mighty RAF CHINOOK is another air festival favourite and returns again this year.

The TUCANO T.MK 1 is used to provide basic fast jet training to RAF and Royal Navy aircrew.

The historic BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT (BBMF) featuring a LANCASTER, SPITFIRE and HURRICANE will return to the skies once again over Bournemouth.

New for this year is the SAAB DRAKEN – Swedish Air Force Historic Flight (SwAFHF) making her first ever appearance at the festival!

Also making their first appearance is the ULTIMATE WARBIRD FLIGHTS featuring four of the most iconic Warbirds including the Buchon, Spitfire, P-47D Thunderbolt and Mustang.

The Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron (NAFHS) – T-33 SILVER STAR is set to also appear.

Back by popular demand is the SUPER PITTS MUSCLE PLANE, a biplane providing aerial manoeuvres and aerobatics.

The BRITISH ARMY TIGERS FREEFALL PARACHUTE DISPLAY TEAM will once again be dropping in on the festival with smoke trailing and flags flying.

THE BLADES are a formation display team made up of predominantly former Red Arrows pilots and are the only civilian team to display at every festival.

The BAC STRIKEMASTER MK82A is back again with their high performance jet.

MIG15 NORWEGIAN AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SQUADRON is a fighter trainer aircraft with a wingspan of more than 10 metres!

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘Night Air’ Displays…

The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down as the ‘Night Air‘ programme kicks in! On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings there will be dusk displays from a number of aircraft, many with glowing lights, trailing smoke and sparkling pyrotechnics!:

FIREFLIES AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
OTTO THE HELICOPTER, piloted by Brendan O’Brien
RED DEVILS PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL FREEFALL TEAM – The official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army.

Click here to pre-order your 2019 programme.

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘On the Ground’ Attractions…

The action doesn’t just happen in the air, there is always plenty going on on the ground too with 1.5 miles of trading stalls and ground displays located between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers and at Pier Approach.

The Royal Navy Village is a popular attraction complete with Royal Marine Unarmed Combat demonstrations on the beach and other interactive attractions. Back by popular demand is the Diving Tank up on East Overcliff and new for 2019 is the RN chefs giving cooking demonstrations. You can also get info about joining the navy, check out the weapons dome and purchase promotional merchandise.

The Royal Navy will also have a Bay Class RFA together with a Royal Navy Frigate and two P2000 vessels moored up in the bay.

The Army Village features a number of their land vehicles including a helicopter, battle tank and army trucks. There will be displays of the weapons used by the army plus you will be able to find out more about joining the army.

The RAF Village is newly located up on the East Overcliff for 2019. Those interested in joining the RAF are able to meet serving servicemen plus there will also be stands from the air festival charities.

And when you are feeling peckish there will be an abundance of catering stalls and outlets serving everything from traditional fish and chips to international cuisines.

Other highlights and trade stands on the ground include Dorset Police, Bournemouth Airport, RSPB, RNLI, Weird Fish, Hop on Inn and Wave 105, to name but a few!

Plus the funfair will be back in town for those fancying some thrills in between displays!

Lower Gardens Entertainment

The Lower Gardens will have a variety of family entertainment from 6pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. More details to follow shortly.

Bournemouth Music Stage

There will be FREE live music on the stage at Bournemouth Pier on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Support acts will start at around 7.00pm with tribute acts from 8.30pm until 10.00pm:

Thursday: The Rozzers: The UK’s number one tribute to Sting and The Police
Support Act: Local singer songwriter Gemma Leanne

Friday: Elton John Tribute, I’m Still Standing Show: The ultimate Elton John tribute
Support Act: Local singer song writer and BBC introducing artist Lee Rasdall-Dove

Saturday: The Los Palmas 6: The best Madness tribute act in the world!
Support Act: Local rock and roll band The Roughcuts

Fireworks

No event would be complete without fireworks! Two displays this year – Friday and Saturday at 10.00pm.

And Finally…

The organisers produce an Air Festival souvenir programme which provides details on the full line up and entertainment. Monies raised from the sales are shared amongst the nominated Air Festival charities.

The programme costs £6 and is available to purchase from local shops from August and at the festival itself. You will also receive an unique code which will allow you to access the online timetable via the website or app. Click here to pre-order your 2019 programme.

The 2019 Bournemouth Air Festival will be an event not to be missed, remember it’s ‘By the Sea and completely FREE’ so put it in your diaries!