Southend Air Festival 2012 takes off!
The countdown is on for the spectacular Southend Air Festival 2012 on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th May!
This is the 27th time Southend has staged one of Europe's largest free airshows with fabulous flying displays and a packed programme of ground entertainment.
The breathtaking 2012 event is being delivered in partnership with easyJet - now based at London Southend Airport. It offers two sensational days of fun and excitement against the backdrop of the Thames Estuary.
Ground attractions, more varied and widespread than ever before, will open from 10am each day. These will be stationed all along Southend seafront with new entertainment zones along City Beach and in the High Street.
In addition to the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army, local groups and businesses are even more involved this year - boosting the community feel and further showcasing everything Southend and its environs can offer. Why not try out mini tanks, The Racing Bug, bumper boats, climbing walls, beach volleyball, simulators, and Italian supercars with the wow factor!
Don’t forget that all this activity can be fuelled by delicious food from around the world, available at a huge range of catering outlets throughout the site.
The captivating air displays begin from around 3pm to 6pm on Saturday 26th May and from approximately 2.30pm - 6pm on Sunday 27th May. (Please note that these times are subject to change.) Here are just some of the unmissable aircraft included so far in this year’s line-up: the Typhoon, Hawk, Tucano, Tutor, King Air, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster, Spitfire, Hurricane), Royal Navy Black Cats, P-51 Mustang, Wingwalkers solo, Blades, Sabre, Spitfire, Catalina, Sbach 300, Trig Aerobatic Team, SWIP Team.
For the latest updates and travel information about Southend Air Festival 2012, please contact: www.visitsouthend.co.uk
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Head of Enterprise, Tourism and Regeneration, Anita Thornberry said: “Southend Air Festival really is an unbeatable opportunity for families to enjoy a thrilling free day out with major attractions in the air and on the ground to suit all ages”
“We are continually developing Southend Air Festival, so this year promises a whole host of new and exciting features, as well as familiar favourites. This is why visitors are captivated by the event and come in such large numbers from far and wide. Once here, they discover even more about what the town can offer throughout the rest of the year too.”
Hugh Aitken, Commercial Manager for easyJet said: “We are looking forward to the Air Festival which promises to be one of the best displays ever this year. There is an exciting programme planned for the weekend which even includes an easyJet fly past.
"Since our flights started from London Southend in early April we have been really pleased by the local response we have received. We currently fly to nine destinations from London Southend and only last week announced two brand new destinations for the winter season – Geneva and Venice – which takes the total to 11."
