BOURNEMOUTH Air Festival has won acclaim across the pond after being named as one of the best air shows in the world.

American newspaper USA Today listed the event as one of its top 10 in a feature which also included spectacles in Florida, Germany and Canada.

It said of the show, which was held for the fifth time last summer and attracts hundreds of thousands of people: “The Bournemouth Air Festival, the largest free annual air show in Europe, combines two great things: airplanes and the beach.

“The four-day festival draws over a million spectators for its aerial shows, hot air balloon rides and fun in the sun.”

Air festival director, Jon Weaver, told the Daily Echo: “It's fantastic for Bournemouth to receive international recognition from America for its innovative approach to providing a unique Air Festival experience.

 

 

“The working relationship and support Bournemouth has with the tourism industry, the community and the armed forces means that we can continue to lead the way in developing an event that is more than just an air show - the Bournemouth Air Festival offers outstanding entertainment from 10am to 10pm and has been acknowledged at the European Air Convention this month for pioneering dusk air displays and evening entertainment.

“This year expect to see a return of some old time favourites along with brand new aircraft at the UK's largest free aviation spectacular - The Bournemouth Air Festival.”

The event's highlights in the past have included the famous Red Arrows, alongside daring aerobatic flying from the likes of The Blades and nostalgia from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

This year's festival takes place between August 29 and September 1.

Read the USA Today article - and catch up on all the action from last year's Air Festival at bournemouthecho.co.uk/air