ORGANISERS of Bournemouth Air Festival have announced details of this year’s Night Air displays, which are being extended.

The dusk show was a highlight of last year’s festival and, as a result, there will be flying on the Thursday and Friday nights of the event, which runs from August 18-21, with attractions on the ground on the Saturday evening.

Highlights from last year's Night Air display

Sponsored by beer brand Corona Extra, the nights will kick off at 5pm with air displays from 8pm, the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood performing Beat Retreat and a demonstration by the Royal Marines Combat Display Team.

Corona is also hosting a stage of live music, while Heart FM will be putting on a talent contest.

Dazzling pyrotechnics will accompany the displays in the skies, with the SWIP Team Twister duo along with, for the first time, festival commentator Brendan O’Brien and his Flying Circus.

Jon Weaver, festival director, said: “The line-up is looking great and is certainly encouraging visitors to stay longer and see more. With Corona’s backing, and the growing support of our Festival Patrons, we’ve been able to add a second evening of dusk displays this year, which is fantastic.

“We have always promoted the event as a festival, rather than an air show, because we want to provide our visitors with something unique, something more than air displays, and thanks to Corona we’re able to do that with Night Air.”

Night Air will also feature an array of street entertainers, firework and pyrotechnic displays, circus workshops, outdoor film screenings, the popular balloon glow and a dance from Dance Southwest.

Rounding it all off on Saturday, August 21, will be a Royal Navy Gala Concert at the Royal Bath Hotel.

Laura Lee, regional director for Molson Coors, which produces Corona, said: “Last year was the first time Molson Coors had been involved with the festival and we didn’t appreciate just how big this event is.”