Return of Blackpool Air Show draws record crowd

The first Blackpool Air Show to take place in three years drew a record crowd of more than 200,000 across the two-day event.

The show opened with the Typhoon display team and closed with the Red Arrows. The audience was also treated to displays including the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Chinook, Muscle Pitts stunt plane, Strikemaster and the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers.

The Tower Festival Headland provided the main viewing and commentary point alongside an Air Show Village, though crowds lined the full six miles of the town's promenade.

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.”

The show kicked off a series of free-to-attend events taking place in Blackpool over the coming months, including the Blackpool Illuminations and the Ride The Lights cycle event.

Blackpool Air Show will return next year on Saturday 12 August and Sunday 13 August 2023.