A four-day extravaganza of land, sea and air display entertainment, the Bournemouth Air Festival is much more than just an air show.

The skies over Bournemouth will be filled with the likes of the awesome RAF Red Arrows, the mighty Typhoon, SallyB and The Blades, as well as a multitude of land, sea and air Royal Navy assets, pier-to-pier country show trading stalls and three nights of music from Thursday, August 18 to Sunday, August 21.

New performances for 2016 come from the B25Mitchell Bomber, Strike Master and awe-inspiring Swiss Air Force Super Puma Helicopter Display Team.

Display pilot captain Matthieu Ghiringhelli said: “On behalf of the Swiss Air Force I am delighted we will be participating at this summer’s Bournemouth Air Festival - we have heard great things about the event on the air show circuit.

"I hope visitors will enjoy watching the incredible agility demonstrated by the Super Puma Display Team.”

The Red Arrows, supported by Morgan Sindall, will be performing at the festival and visitors can see the breath-taking team in action at the set time of 1545 (3.45pm) on all four days.

With the presence of Admiral Sir George Michael Zambellas, First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy at last year’s event, the Navy’s ongoing commitment to the festival sees four warships, a large amphibious command ship complete with helicopters, Royal Marines and landing craft and Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter display team taking part.

The famous amphibious beach assault demonstrations and beachfront Royal Navy Village are back again, bolstered by world class music from the Royal Marines Band, HM RM Band Collingwood.

Commander Steve Henagan said: “2016 will demonstrate yet another superb concentration of Naval force. On land, at sea and in the air, we look forward to showcasing what we do best!”

RAF assets alongside the Red Arrows and Typhoon will be the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and fantastic interactive RAF Village.

RAF Wing Commander Heather Ratnage-Black said: “The Air Festival is a high priority event for the Royal Air Force, in terms of audience numbers it’s perfect for showcasing our aircraft and offers a first class arena for engaging with the public "The event allows the public the opportunity to talk directly to our personnel and discuss the opportunities to have a career within the service, in over 50 roles ranging from engineering to catering.”

Last seen in 2013, the Breitling Wingwalkers are returning with the ever-popular Tigers Parachute Team making daily jumps from an amazing 6,000feet freefalling at an incredible 120mph! Not forgetting the SallyB, Twister Duo and The Blades.

Tigers Captain Ian Wicks said: “Bournemouth is the highlight in our display year. The crowds are fantastic, the reception, the organisers and staff are awesome. It sets the precedent for all other air shows!”

A revamped Night Air programme welcomes a mini tattoo on the East Overcliff (Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening) with the brilliant RAF Queens Colour Squadron, alongside the Royal Navy Beat Retreat sunset ceremony and unarmed combat displays by the Royal Marines.

In the skies will be fantastic dusk displays from the Red Devils and O’Briens Flying Circus starring Otto The Helicopter, as well as Team Fire Flies and Aerosparx, both bringing formation flying and pyrotechnics to the evening display programme.

This year’s Night Air entertainment, with Wave105, runs across three nights (Thursday Friday and Saturday). It includes fireworks at 10pm on Friday and Saturday, along with three music nights created to spread the entertainment across all generations.

Thursday evening will be a very British affair with a Musical Spectacular performed by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Collingwood, Friday night is Pop Night, sponsored by Shorefield Holiday Parks and Saturday night, Sunset on the Beach is the official, not-to-be-missed, beach party with Halo. Tickets start from £10.

With day and night time entertainment on land, out at sea and in the air, displays from old favourites, a Bournemouth debut for some new faces, the 2016 Air Festival is certainly set to be the event of the summer!

To find out more, visit bournemouthair.co.uk