TALKS are taking place between an “experienced operator of air shows” and BCP Council about a potential 10-year contract for the festival. 

The unnamed operator has suggested the Bournemouth Air Festival takes a break in 2025, before coming back with a “completely refreshed offer” between 2026 and 2036. 

Under the potential new operator, the air show could run for three days on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday with a change of date to what has previously been the norm at the end of August. 

Five potential operators came forward to BCP Council in the months after it was decided the authority would not continue to fund the popular show after this year. 

This soon whittled down to two following meetings and detailed discussions, with one of them being told by the council that their proposals could not go ahead as it required funding from the authority. 

Little is known about the potential operator at the moment, but a report by BCP Council said its experience includes: “key links to the European Airshow Council (EAC) and the UK Air Display Symposiums.” 

The report, by BCP Council’s Amanda Barrie, director of commercial operations and Helen Wildman, head of events, set out what would need to be done from the council’s end should a contract be signed. 

It included the provision to ‘commercialise’ the area between Boscombe and Bournemouth piers with a variety of hospitality offers ranging in price.  

“Whilst an element of access will be maintained, free viewing of the displays will be outside of this core zone,” the report said. 

It added that any contract between the council and a potential operator would include the use of designated land and rights to hold the event. 

The report added: “The potential operator attended the 2024 event to gain insight into the further work that is needed. 

“It is noted that some of this work will require more detailed discussions before a full appraisal can be undertaken and any future operator agreement can be entered into to ensure all risks are fully explored.” 

Although all funding from the council for an air show has dried up, setting up a future air show from the private sector would take “significant contract management and support from the [council’s] events team.” 

BCP Council said: “Additional financial impact, both negative and positive is difficult to quantify at this stage, we expect the position to be net neutral, but this would need to be tested in negotiations.” 

This year’s air show, the last council-funded one, saw around 500,000 people attend over the shortened three-day event (Thursday to Saturday).