Newcastle Welcomes More Than 100,000 Visitors to Festival of Flight Spectacular

More than 100,000 visitors landed in Newcastle, County Down on Saturday to get a bird’s eye view of this year’s Festival of Flight, sponsored by Rockwell Collins, which featured a jaw-dropping aeronautical display by the Red Arrows.

Organised by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and now one of Northern Ireland’s largest annual events, this year’s record-breaking turnout was boosted not only by greater weather and flying conditions but by the high-flying support of Rockwell Collins Kilkeel.

With a powerful combination of stunning airborne antics led by the Red Arrows and complemented by a lively ground level programme of family-friendly events and attractions, the shores of Newcastle and Dundrum Bay were roaring with excitement as the iconic Mourne Mountains stood proud.

The aerial extravaganza also saw new displays join the schedule, with the Wildcat Aerobatics team and Piston Provost both taking to the skies alongside the Pitts Special, Global Stars, a Chinook, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, a Spitfire, a Lancaster, Hurricane and a Strikemaster.

A tribute was also paid to Rescue 116, with a slow flyby of the new aircraft to commemorate the four crew members who tragically lost their lives earlier this year.

In addition to the eye-popping air show, free family activities, aviation and food villages, beer tepee and live music kept thousands entertained on the ground.

Festival of Flight is the third of five ‘Giant Adventures’ in Newry, Mourne and Down this summer.

Visit visitmournemountains.co.uk/GiantAdventures for full details.