BCP Council co-leader addresses failed airshow proposal

The deputy leader of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council has addressed a failed proposal to bring back the Bournemouth Airshow for 2026. 

Mike Cox, Co-leader of BCP council and Liberal Democrat Cllr for Christchurch town, has spoken out following a failed proposal to bring back the airshow. 

The plan, proposed by organiser Dave Rogers, included safety teams, two catering companies and a scheme to self-fund the show, using a system called ‘aircards’. 

The plan was denied by the council due to a lack of funding already in place.  

Councillor Cox said: “It is quite sad. I used to see the aircraft over my house. It will be sad if and when it doesn’t happen.” 

“The door is always open. We are always looking to put on events to enrich the area and bring business to the area.” 

“If someone wants to bring the airshow back, that would be great. It’s got to be viable, and it’s got to rely on the fact we can’t fund it anymore.” 

“The council previously put over 400,000 pounds into it. At the moment, we haven’t got anyone available to support it.” 

Bournemouth held its last airshow in 2024. In June 2025, the authority announced that the festival cost 400,000 pounds.  

Discussions with private operators collapsed due to a plan to close the promenade was not legally possible. 

Matthew Cheetham, a BCP Council worker and lifelong Bournemouth resident, said: “You couldn’t miss it. If you weren’t on the seafront, it was above your garden.” 

“It’s a shame because we are losing an important community event in a time when we don’t have many community events.” 

“The biggest shame isn’t the loss of another airshow. It’s a loss of another community event.” 

According to a BCP Council report, the airshow brought in over 500,000 visitors to Bournemouth in 2024. 

Sean Hillman, co-owner of family-run Bournemouth-based business Trove, said: “During the airshow, it’s busy everywhere. It can almost be a bit annoying as a local.” 

“For businesses, it’s huge. Especially those which rely heavily on tourism.” 

“It’s become a real part of life around here. To see it going would be a real shame.” 

It is currently unknown if there are plans for the airshow to return.