Formidable Swedish fighter jets set to soar over Bournemouth
They're taking part in this year's Bournemouth Air Festival
Two formidable Swedish fighter jets are set to perform a stunning aerial display during this year's three-day Bournemouth Air Festival, on Thursday 29 - Saturday 31 August.
The Saab Viggen and Saab Draken are the latest aircraft to be unveiled for the 16th festival and it will be the first time these renowned aircraft will have flown at the event together.
This year boasts a strong line up of air displays, led by the RAF’s Typhoon, which has been repainted to mark 80 years since the D-Day landings, the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944.
The Red Devils, the Army's world-class parachute display team, also played a historic role in the D-Day landings and will be performing at this year’s festival.
Festival goers can also look forward to displays from the B-17 “Sally B” Flying Fortress, the last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe, and crowd favourites the AeroSuperBatics WingWalkers and Rich Goodwin in his Jet Pitts Muscle Biplane.
Councillor Millie Earl, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Connected Communities, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council said:
“We are thrilled to have the Saab Viggen and Draken jets at this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival, alongside an exciting line up of other iconic aircraft.
“There will be entertainment on the ground, including a bigger interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Village, an Armed Forces village, fairground rides, food stalls, a dive tank, fireworks and more.”
The Saab Viggen and Saab Draken will be sponsored by Aerobytes, a flight-safety company based in UK, who will also be supporting Rich Goodwin’s Jet Pitts.
Aerobytes director Eddie Forrester said: “These historic jets are quite unlike anything most UK audiences will have seen before. They look like something from Star Wars and are – shall we say – a tad noisy. Bring your ear plugs!”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has worked with the business community to sustainably fund and manage the festival in 2024 and beyond, through a mixture of sponsorship and other commercial activity.
The council says it's currently making good progress towards its funding target having secured South Western Railway as a prime sponsor for this year’s air festival.