AN air festival for next year is not off the table – but one thing that is certain is that BCP Council won’t be paying for it. 

The local authority is now working on ways in which the popular and free to attend show can go ahead in the future. 

A report will be going to the cabinet later in the year outlining options to take it forward minus council funding. 

Council leader Millie Earl said it’s possible that somebody or a business may come along and decide to park the show for 2025 and plan for 2026. 

This year’s three-day event, the last of its kind, was attended by nearly 500,000 people, this year’s air festival director Amanda Barrie said. 

Cllr Earl said: “We are currently working on what a potential future air festival may look like and are talking to a potential future operator for future years.   

“No decision has been made yet and any decision needs to go through the full democratic process. A report is due to go to the council’s cabinet in the autumn, which will include further information on how this year’s festival has met income targets set last year.  

“A potential future operator could decide to press the pause button on a future air festival in 2025 to allow time to plan and refresh the event for 2026. We will update residents, businesses and visitors as soon as we can.” 

Funding for this year’s show was always going to be the last under the Three Towns Alliance administration, who has had to make serious cuts to balance the books. 

Reflecting on the three days, Ms Barrie praised the “huge amount” of partnership and months of planning to get the show off the ground. 

She said: “I would particularly like to thank the emergency services including Dorset Police, the South West Ambulance Service, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service and the Coastguard, along with RNLI. 

“Special thanks of course go to the Armed Forces - the RAF, the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Marines, all of whom play their part in creating entertainment throughout the festival site and in the skies.    

“Huge thanks also to all the BCP Council staff who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to put together this mammoth programme, ensuring it was delivered to exceptional standard.  

“Last, but not least, thanks to our sponsors, hospitality partners and traders, who helped provide some of the best experiences and tasty delights our area has to offer.”