Blackpool Airport issues seagull plea before air show as 350,000 people to attend

Blackpool Airport issues seagull plea before air show as 350,000 people to attend The Blackpool Air Show, which is held annually at Blackpool Airport, will feature RAF Typhoons, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Devils People attending a popular seaside air show have been urged not to feed seagulls to avoid the risk of bird strikes. The annual Blackpool Air Show will soon welcome hundreds of thousands of spectators, with more than 350,000 attendees last year. The show will return on Saturday and Sunday and feature "some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft performing over the iconic seafront". But visitors have been warned of the potential risk they could cause to the air show if they leave food behind or feed the seagulls. Gull gatherings can present a hazard to aircrafts, especially during low-level flying displays. As a result, attendees have been asked to dispose of any rubbish or leftover food accordingly and not feed the animals. Jim Johnson, operations, safety and compliance manager at Blackpool Airport, said: "It's fantastic to welcome so many people to enjoy the Blackpool Air Show each year and it is the most exciting week in our calendar! "We would like to ask everyone, particularly those watching from the nearby sand dunes, to support us by not feeding the gulls and by taking all litter and food waste away when they leave. "Limiting the availability of food helps reduce the number of gulls in the vicinity of the airport, lowering the risk of bird strikes during the flying displays. "We are grateful for everyone's cooperation in helping to keep the event safe for pilots and spectators alike." The Blackpool Air Show, which is held annually at Blackpool Airport, will feature RAF Typhoons, a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Devils. It is set to take place on August 8 to August 9, "with some of the world’s finest military and civilian aircraft performing over the iconic seafront", according to its website. "The programme will showcase the very best in British aviation with an incredible line-up of amazing flying machines and some of the country’s most talented pilots," it adds.