No dates have been announced for next year’s Bournemouth Air Festival amid speculation the plug could be pulled on 2024’s show. 

As is tradition at the end of the four-day event, a date is announced for next year but with the show’s future up in the air, announcements will be made later this year. 

Recommendations on the future will be made to BCP Council’s cabinet at a committee meeting in October and a decision will be made afterwards.

Despite this, and the rain grounding most planes on Thursday, a council leader has praised 2023’s show as a “fantastic few days of entertainment”. 

Hundreds of thousands of people still flocked to the town to enjoy three solid days of aviation-packed entertainment. 

This year saw the debut of two new displays, including the north American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco plane and Starlings Aerobatic team – both of whom were warmly received.

The Red Arrows, the only team to perform on all four days, stunned the crowds with their world-renowned display. 

Established favourites such as the Yakovlev 50, de Havilland Vampire FB.52, and Battle of Britain memorial display enthralled visitors once again as they passed overhead. 

The Typhoon concluded the four-day show late Sunday afternoon.

On Friday and Saturday evening the Firebirds Display Team lit up the night skies with their vibrant pyrotechnics. 

Poole talent Nigel Reid, one half of the Firebirds team which also includes John Dodd, was one of the civilian pilots taking part in this year’s event. 

He said: “I love displaying at Bournemouth Air Festival. It’s a beautiful bay to perform at and feels even more amazing to have grown up here and now be entertaining the thousands watching.” 

Jon Weaver, Air Festival director, added: “Although the weather on Thursday caused a slight setback, summer arrived in spectacular style which meant the number of people enjoying the festival over the last few days may well have got close to breaking our record attendance figures.”