A record number of people turned out to watch Blackpool’s annual Air Show as a combination of scorching weather and the long-awaited return of the Red Arrows brought crowds flocking to the resort from across the UK.
An estimated 200,000 people turned out over the two days to watch hours of spectacular free entertainment over the seafront.
As well as the Red Arrows performing a dazzling finale on both the Saturday and Sunday, there were breath-taking displays by the Typhoon display team, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Chinook, Muscle Pitts stunt plane, Strikemaster and the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers.
Although the Tower Festival Headland provided the main viewing and commentary point alongside an Air Show Village, (sponsored by Coral Island), huge crowds lined the six miles of promenade.
The show was opened in spectacular fashion by the Typhoon display team and closed by the Red Arrows who marked their return to Blackpool with a stunning entrance over The Blackpool Tower with their trademark red, white and blue smoke trails.
A VisitBlackpool spokesperson said: “It is three years since we were last able to stage an air show and four years since the Red Arrows last performed here. A combination of the picture-perfect weather and the return of the Reds gave us the biggest attendance we have ever seen. It was a joy to see so many people coming from far and wide to celebrate what was a fabulous family event.”
Blackpool Air Show will return next year on Saturday 12 August and Sunday 13 August 2023, featuring a whole host of incredible flying machines.
The Air Show at the weekend marked the start of a programme of fantastic free events over the coming months.
