5 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Is the Bournemouth Air Festival taking place this year?
Organised by the BCP Council, it began in 2008 and took place annually, after only having missed a year in 2021 due to the Covid pandemic.
Hundreds of thousands of people descended on Bournemouth each time to watch a range of different aircraft completing displays in the sky.
However, doubts began to emerge over the viability of the event due to the cost of running it.
Bournemouth Air Festival has taken place since 2008 (Image: Rob Fleming)
It was said that Bournemouth Air Festival cost the council £400,000 on average, with a reduced 'more modest' event in 2024 costing around £250,000.
Is the Bournemouth Air Festival taking place this year?
Bournemouth Air Festival will not be returning in 2025, due to the BCP Council saying it could no longer fund the event.
In a council overview and scrutiny board meeting on June 9, Councillor Kate Salmon agreed the festival brought in money to the local economy but maintained that the council was unable to fund it.
She said cuts have been made to libraries to save money, and that council taxpayers expect money to be spent on these services rather than 'a few days of business service a year'.
The bigger question now is regarding if the Air Festival will ever return.
BCP Council has said it can no longer fund the Air Festival (Image: Rob Fleming)
Will Bournemouth Air Festival ever return?
It was previously reported that American operator Pacific Airshow was in talks with the council to take over Bournemouth Air Festival.
However, at the overview and scrutiny board meeting, Cllr Richard Herrett confirmed the operator had since pulled out.
It was said that the company, which hosts similar annual air shows in the US, requested to shut the Bournemouth promenade during the event, which would provide legal difficulties.
The operator said one of the reasons they decided to withdraw was the inability to restrict the area, which made it challenging to create a "financially sustainable model."
Cllr Herrett proposed that the council stop actively searching for new sponsors and instead focus on new events.
Sharing a similar sentiment, Cllr Michelle Dower said: "I think the air festival has had its day, I think it's done."
Pacific Airshow was in talks with the council to take over Bournemouth Air Festival but these fell through (Image: Rob Fleming)
She said "we are currently in a climate emergency" and that the council should find different ways to attract tourism.
Due to these recommendations, it is unlikely that the Bournemouth Air Festival will ever return.
In a statement about the event, Cllr Millie Earl, leader of BCP Council, said: 'Along with other councils, ours is in a challenging financial situation which is why the Bournemouth Air Festival in 2024 was to be the last council funded air show.
'Over the past year, we have worked hard to engage a future operator and seek sponsorship for future Air Festivals but unfortunately this has so far been unsuccessful.
'We are still open to any interest from potential operators or sponsors.
A petition has since been set up on titled 'Save Bournemouth Air Festival: Keep the Tradition Alive'.
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At the time of writing, it has 1,234 verified signatures, with the profile of the page describing the air festival as a "heartfelt celebration of our community's spirit and resilience".
It adds: "Over the years, it has provided significant economic benefits by boosting local businesses and attracting thousands of tourists who contribute to the local economy.
"The cancellation of this beloved event would not only result in the loss of cherished memories and future experiences but would also starkly affect the livelihood of many residing in Bournemouth."
