THE Midlands Air Festival welcomed nearly 30,000 people to Ragley Hall in Alcester across the weekend for the sixth edition of the event.

The skies were filled with the very best in air displays and colourful hot air balloons over three days, from Friday, May 31 until Sunday, June 2. 

Trevor Graham, Flight Director said: “We were absolutely thrilled with this year’s event and visitor numbers across the weekend. It is important to us to always deliver a programme that features some rarely seen displays alongside returning favourites. 

“The weekend was full to the brim with action and excitement, and this could be seen by the smiles on the faces of those that attended, we’ve already had so many positive comments and feedback. Watch this space on news for our return in 2025.”

It's the reason why Worcestershire and Warwickshire residents have spotted the famous Red Arrows in the sky flying past over the weekend. 

The event featured some of the finest aviation in the world, including three displays from the RAF Red Arrows, and a collection of hot air balloons, the largest of which could be seen in Sunday morning’s mass ascent with an incredible 135 balloons taking part. 

The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, is one of the world's premier aerobatic display teams, according to the RAF.

The team, made up of pilots, engineers, and support staff with frontline operational experience, demonstrate the excellence of the RAF in their distinctive Hawk fast-jets.

The Red Arrows, based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, have been displaying since 1965, and had flown almost 5,000 displays in 57 countries by the beginning of 2024, which is the team's 60th season.