Bournemouth Air Festival 2010

Awesome air displays, attractions and fantastic evening entertainment – Bournemouth Air Festival 2010 has been confirmed for 19th - 22nd August.

The record-breaking Bournemouth Air Festival has officially been launched for 2010, and it promises to be the best yet! This year's festival will be taking place from 19th - 22nd August, and visitors will be encouraged to stay longer and see more, with more planned aircraft, increased support from the Armed Forces and new additions to the evening programme.

The latest addition to the programme is the F-16 Demo Team of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, who will be displaying across all four days of the festival.  Air Festival Director Jon Weaver said; "To have international aircraft for 2010 is an incredible addition to our flying display programme for all four days and is thanks to the hard work and ongoing support the town gives to the Festival, giving it the reputation it has."

The world famous Red Arrows will be returning to perform at the festival this year, performing three displays a day on Friday at 5pm, Saturday at 12.30pm and Sunday at 4.30pm. The team includes their first female pilot, Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore, in her first visit to the festival.

Other aircraft performing include the heart pounding Eurofighter Typhoon, the 70th anniversary Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Hawk jet, Tucano, Tutor, and the Royal Navy Black Cat Helicopter Team.

The Blades, Sally-B, Yakovlevs and the Breitling Wingwalkers will also make an appearance during the four days.

All returning for a third consecutive year, the display teams have been impressed with Bournemouth Air Festival location and crowds; said Elly Sallingboe, B-17 Operator; "Bournemouth seafront was heaving! In my thirty-plus years as both an air display organiser and B-17 operator, I have never seen such a massive crowd; we're looking forward to coming back this summer".

Flown by former Red Arrows pilots, The Blades are set to bring the ultimate in aerobatic excitement to the town.  Flying on all four days the four Extra 300 stunt planes are regarded as one of the most challenging aircraft in existence. Said Blade 1, Myles Garland; "Since last August we have been developing the display manoeuvres and the overall formation precision; we love being back in front of the crowds during the summer season and are ready to wow the Bournemouth crowds in August".

Elsewhere, the Royal Marine Reserve and Royal Marine Commando Display Team will be mounting an amphibious assault on the beach, and the RFA Largs Bay and HMS Bangor will be in the bay and open to visitors.

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.

Jon added: "The achievements of the last two years - especially last summer's record breaking numbers, are a lot for everyone involved to live up to , but with increased support from the Navy and RAF and the Dutch F-16 display team confinrmed for all four days, the line-up is looking fantastic... I think we're on track for another triumph!"