Bournemouth Air Festival

The Bournemouth Air Festival is the UK’s biggest free aviation festival and will take place from 20th until 23rd August 2020.

An update issued on 25th March by a spokesperson said that organisers still intended for the event to go ahead saying “As I’m sure everyone can appreciate and understand, we are constantly monitoring and responding to government advice within a rapidly changing situation.

“The festival is still about five months away so we are still planning for the event and hopefully we can celebrate at the end of the summer.”

Any changes we will update here so please check back soon for further updates.

So what’s on and when?

Please watch this space for details of the 2020 line up, Currently the full line up has not been announced. Please note that displays may be subject to change due to weather conditions and aircraft availabilty.

2019 Line Up

Check out what we enjoyed at the 2019 air festival…

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘In the Air’ Displays 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!

RAF TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM
Returning for 2019 is the popular Typhoon which is set to display on Friday at 4.15pm, Saturday at 5.40pm and Sunday at 4.05pm as it closes the festival. Pilot Flight Lieutenant Jim Peterson will also be flying a special dusk display on Friday at 7.35pm. – it’s #phoontime!

RN BLACK CAT HELICOPTER DISPLAY TEAM
Last seen in the skies of Bournemouth in 2016 it’s great to see them back in 2019 with their Augusta Westland 159 Wildcat Maritime Attach helicopter.

RAF CHINOOK
The mighty Chinook is a firm air festival favourite and returns again this year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

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

BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT (BBMF)
This historic flight features a LANCASTER, SPITFIRE and HURRICANE and is an impressive sight to see.

SAAB DRAKEN – SWEDISH AIR FORCE HISTORIC FLIGHT(SwAFHF)
New for this year is the Saab Draken making her first ever appearance at the festival. Expect a lot of noise from this fighter aircraft!

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

NORWEGIAN AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SQUADRON (NAFHS) – CANADAIR T-33 SILVER STAR
A distinctive jet with a wingspan of nearly 13m and a top speed of 570mph, this jet is Europe’s only airworthy T-33.

SUPER PITTS MUSCLE PLANE,
Back by popular demand this biplane provides aerial manoeuvres and aerobatics.

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

THE BLADES
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.

BAC STRIKEMASTER MK82A
Back again with their high performance jets, the Strikemaster Pair perform noisy manoeuvres and aerobatics.

MIG15 NORWEGIAN AIR FORCE HISTORICAL SQUADRON
A fighter trainer aircraft with a wingspan of more than 10 metres, this mighty beast can reach speeds of Mach 0.92!

FIREFLIES AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These RV4 light weight aircraft will be displaying both during the day and at dusk – don’t miss their pyrotechnic displays!

SEA FURY T20
New for this year is the Sea Fury T20, operated by the Norwegian Spitfire Foundation.

AEROSUPERBATICS WINGWALKERS
The world’s only formation wingwalking team perform breathtaking aerobatics of loops, rolls, star turns and an inverted flight!

U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon will be doing a special flypast on Friday afternoon.

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘Night Air’ Displays 2019

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!

RED DEVILS PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL FREEFALL TEAM
The official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army.

SPITFIRE PS853
One of the best loved British aircraft of all time!

OTTO THE HELICOPTER
Piloted by Brendan O’Brien, Otto returns once again to the festival with more pyrotechnic displays and this year will be accompanied by a Piper Cub.

FIREFLIES AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These guys always thrill with their pyrotechnic displays!

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘On the Ground’ Attractions 2019

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 attractions at Pier Approach, in the Lower Gardens, up on the East Overcliff and in the town square.

Royal Navy Village
Always a popular attraction the village can be found on the beach and is open daily from 10.00am. You can meet members of the service and get info about joining the navy, check out the weapons dome and purchase promotional merchandise. New for 2019 is the RN chefs giving cooking demonstrations and don’t miss the Unarmed Combat demonstrations on the beach and in the gardens. Plus back by popular demand is the Diving Tank up on East Overcliff!

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.

Army Village
Also on the beach the Army Village features a number of their land vehicles and equipment including a Gazelle helicopter, a battle tank, infantry quad bike, a armoured vehicle 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.

RAF Village
In it’s newly location up on the East Overcliff the Royal Air Force Village has a host of attractions including the popular Chinook replica and an interactive VR experience! Those interested in joining the RAF are able to meet serving servicemen plus there will also be stands from the air festival charities and a weapons display.

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, Greenpeace, 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!

Anchorage Tours

Out in the bay will be HMS Argyll and RFA Lyme Bay and throughout the festival boat trips will be running to allow you to view these ships up close. The trips last approximately 45 minutes with full commentary available. Tickets are limited and are priced at £10pp, over 10’s only. Tickets must be purchased online via www.seetickets.com/tour/anchorage-tours

Lower Gardens Entertainment

The Lower Gardens will have a variety of family entertainment throughout the festival including music from the Royal Logistics Corps Army Band, HMS Bath Tub and HM RM Band Portsmouth. Also make sure you catch the Royal Marines Unarmed Combat demonstrations!

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:
Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
RAF Association
RAF Benevolent Fund

The programme costs £6 and is available to purchase from local shops from August and at the festival itself. You can also purchase a copy online (P&P charges apply). The programme includes an unique code which will allow you to access the online timetable via the website or app. Displays may be subject to change due to weather conditions and aircraft availabilty so the app will provide up to date information throughout the festival.