Radio AIR seeks backing for Weymouth air festival

Radio AIR is working to bring a new three day aviation festival to Weymouth next August.

The community radio station has provisionally scheduled AIR Festival 2027 for 18 to 20 August, with plans for military and civilian flying displays, beach concerts, family entertainment and community activities.

Radio AIR says it has received encouraging initial support from Dorset Council and Weymouth Town Council, while aviation specialist David Walton of TSA Consulting has been appointed Flying Display Director.

Applications and requests have been submitted to military and civilian flying organisations, and discussions with potential commercial sponsors are under way.

Claudia Webb, Head of Operations at AIR, said: “An event of this scale takes detailed planning and cooperation. We’re working through the practical requirements carefully, with public safety, operational feasibility and the needs of the town at the centre of our thinking.”

AIR Chief Executive Jamie Lyones, who previously helped organise Weymouth Carnival through his involvement with Round Table, hopes the proposed festival will bring back some of the event’s community spirit.

Jamie said: “We’ve already made encouraging progress, but we’re not pretending this is a done deal. We need substantial sponsorship, funding and manpower to make it happen.”

The station has launched a public fundraising campaign and is inviting businesses, residents, schools, colleges, charities and community organisations to contribute through sponsorship, volunteering, performances and other practical support.