THE organisers of Bournemouth Air Festival have confirmed they are "continuing with plans" to hold the major event following the confirmed easing of restrictions.

So far the Red Arrows, RAF Typhoons and the Battle of Britain memorial flight have all been confirmed to be taking to the skies of during the festival, which takes place on Thursday, September 2 until Sunday, September 5.

However, little information beyond that has been released despite the country approaching the end of the government's roadmap out of lockdown

BCP Council has confirmed to the Daily Echo that organisers remain optimistic that the festival is on track to return later this year.

Councillor Mohan Iyengar, portfolio holder for tourism, leisure and culture, said: “We are staying positive and continuing with festival plans.

“Since the start of 2021 we’ve been determined to make this the year of ‘bounce back’.”

Like the rest of the country, Bournemouth is doing its best to ensure a good economic bounce back following the pandemic and Cllr Iyengar said the air festival is a great opportunity to help do that.

He added: “To engineer the fastest possible recovery for businesses and for jobs – and to help people back outdoors.

“Staging the UK's greatest land, air and sea event would be a massive boost for everyone involved, residents and visitors as well as the conurbations’ economy.”

The air festival would be making its return this year after the pandemic led to its cancellation in 2020.

As reported, the Red Arrows will be displaying a number of new manoeuvres at this year's four-day event.

The new Red 1 and Red Arrows team leader for 2021, Squadron Leader Tom Bould, has spoken of his admiration for Bournemouth Air Festival.

He said: “Bournemouth is certainly one of our favourite UK venues, like so many display teams we missed the thrill of home air shows last year.

“We’re all certainly looking forward to entertaining the hundreds of thousands of spectators on the beach, it’s going to be really special to be back where we belong, performing and inspiring the next generation of pilots and engineers."

All the current details on the air festival can be found at bournemouthair.co.uk.