Published on Wednesday 18 August 2021
Be the one in three.
That is the message from this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival organisers as they urge visitors to think about sustainable travelling options when planning their journey.
If one in three people left their cars at home and travelled to the popular event by train, bus, bike or walking over 2,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions would be saved every year. Comparatively, aircraft during the four days of entertainment contribute just 240 tonnes. Transforming everyone's travel habits also contributes to the council’s climate emergency agenda ambitions.
Running since 2008, the event returns after being called off last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Jon Weaver, festival director said: "We can’t wait to welcome everyone back for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival which has been running for 14 years. A tremendous amount of work has gone into ensuring this event will be one of the biggest and best yet.
"And we ask everyone attending to please – think before you travel. Do you need to take the car? If you are from out of town, please think about getting the train or the coach and travelling down to the Festival. We have excellent bus routes and we know a lot of our residents already use the bus, walk or cycle to the Festival.
Cllr Beverley Dunlop, Lead Member for Cultural Events, said: "Only through more people choosing sustainable travel options will we be able to continue to enjoy exciting events and entertainment like this. We will welcome many people to Bournemouth over the four days of the festival and ask everyone to consider how they can plan their visit with the least impact to the environment."
The One in Three campaign, backed by Wave 105, is supported by South Western Railway, Yellow Buses and Beryl Bikes.
Jon Brookes, Regional Commercial Director for Bauer South, said: "Wave 105 are delighted to be once again partnering with the Bournemouth Air Festival. This year we are very proud to be supporting with an environmental focus through encouraging visitors to use public transport, park and ride, car share, pedal power or of course walk. We are also urging visitors to think about what they bring to Bournemouth in a bid to reduce plastic and unnecessary waste."
Andrew Ardley, Regional Development Manager for South Western Railway (official train provider), said: "We will be running extra and extended services for this year’s Air Festival as well as strengthening our existing services to ensure those choosing to travel by train can do so easily and comfortably. We look forward to welcoming you."
David Squire, Managing Director of Yellow Buses, added: "Yellow Buses, as the locally owned, locally operated bus company for the Bournemouth area, are delighted to be partnering with SWR, Beryl and BCP Council to encourage visitors to the Air-Show to travel sustainably. In addition to our regular bus network, linking the town centre to all the suburbs and further afield to New Milton and Wimborne, we operate a comprehensive bus network with a great range of value tickets, including our Summer Sizzler evening ticket at just £3. On the air show days we will have a frequent shuttle bus link, connecting with SWR trains and taking visitors directly to Bournemouth Pier. The latest Euro 6 engined buses are cleaner and greener than an equivalent car and one full double-decker can remove up to 75 cars off the road, helping to speed up everyone’s journey."
Phil Barrett, Community Engagement and Events Lead for Beryl Bikes, said: "We are working hard to promote sustainable travel to this year’s event. We have launched our Park and Cycle initiative enabling people to get a free 20 minute journey when travelling to the beach or to the Air Festival. Please do leave your car at home if you are able to, download the Beryl app and pick up one of our 1,000 bikes across the conurbation making your journey a healthy one."
Air Festival goers are also reminded to please ‘Know Before You Go’ and visit bournemouth.co.uk/visitor-information/coronavirus before you travel. In line with Government guidelines, please do not travel to the event if you have any Covid symptoms. Download the beach check uk app to find your quiet spot and avoid busy locations. We also encourage everyone to bring reusable bottles and visit the Dorset refill stations and always leave only footprints.
The Air Festival takes place 2 – 5 September and features the greatest RAF line up in 5 years, with the Red Arrows (displaying daily at 3pm), Typhoon, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and RAF Chinook, not forgetting a host of civilian teams and aircraft including The Blades, Ultimate Warbirds and stunt pilot Rich Goodwin. With entertainment from 10am and flying from early afternoon with dusk flying in the early evening and great night air entertainment it’s a fantastic day out for all the family. Download the Air Festival app and make sure you’re beach ready for your day out and download the Beach Check app to find your perfect seaside spot.
For the latest news, information and details follow the Air Festival crew on social media #bmthairfest