LITTLE over a month ago, the skies above Southend were free of vapour trails and the drone of jet engines as the Icelandic volcano wreaked havoc to UK air travel.

In little under two days, those same skies will be filled with smoke streams and the roaring sounds of aircraft as Southend Air Festival gets under way.

The annual event, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary, begins on Sunday, serving up two afternoons of airborne amazement.

Organisers say this year’s show is also bigger, with more fly-bys and ground attractions than in previous years.

“There will be many more events taking place,” says Ian Robertson, Southend councillor responsible for enterprise, tourism and regeneration.

“There are some new features, such as the RAF’s Meet the Pilots area, as well as some favourites from past shows like Titan the Robot.

“These are exciting times and I’m honoured to be a part of the 25th Southend Air Festival.”

Despite the absence of the Red Arrows display team, which withdrew from the show after a mid-air collision in training two months ago, there is still an array of airborne action.

Displays by 40 aircraft will entertain the thousands of people who gather along the seafront on Sunday and Monday.

At times, Southend’s airspace will resemble more of a war zone, especially when the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight performs their display.

The Royal Air Force flight, which commemorates the famous Second World War aerial campaign with the Avro Lancaster, Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane flying in formation, has become one of the show’s highlights. The RAF Falcons parachute team will also provide a breathtaking display, alongside other sky stunts from the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopters, the Breitling Wingwalkers and the Blades aerobatic team.

“It’s a great shame about the Red Arrows as they are a great attraction,” says Mr Robertson.

“I doubt fewer people will turn up as a result, because people come for the whole show and not just a display that lasts for ten minutes. We have a full flying programme from 2pm to 5.30pm on both days, so there are plenty of other highlights to keep people entertained.”

But the air is not the only focus of fun, and back on terra firma there’ll be lots of attractions between 10am and 6pm, on Sunday and Monday.

The Army will be exhibiting weaponry such as tanks and an assault course, while the Royal Navy will be bringing the Royal Marines Commando Display Team with their climbing walls.

Giant inflatables, stilt walkers, bungee trampolines and musicians will entertain all day, and there’ll be flight simulators to help budding pilots of the future develop their head for heights. More than 500,000 air enthusiasts attended last year’s show, and organisers are hoping for an increase this bank holiday weekend.

“We don’t know exactly how many people will attend, but we are expecting more this year,” says Mr Robertson.

“The weather forecast looks OK at the moment, but there are lots of things to do under cover, irrespective of the weather.”

Last year, a survey revealed Southend Air Festival contributes more than £7.5million to the local economy, and supports about 120 local jobs.

Mr Robertson adds: “The air festival is a magnet that pulls people to Southend. We are trying to broaden Southend from just a day out destination, and hopefully people will come back and stay for a weekend or longer.”

See today's paper for a programme of events