A FESTIVAL held in Newquay that aims to inspire girls to take up aviation and engineering careers is set to take off.

The TECgirls Reach for the Sky Festival, which is in its third year, will be held at Cornwall Airport Newquay between June 20 and 21.

Attendees can climb inside real aircraft, meet the people behind the controls and discover career paths they might never have considered.

Visitors will experience a vibrant mix of activity and inspiration, from aircraft displays and engineering challenges to interactive workshops and conversations with female pilots, engineers and apprentices shaping the future of flight.

The festival, which has more than 20 organisations involved, creates a rare opportunity for young people to connect directly with industry in an exciting and accessible environment.

The Reach for the Sky Festival is part of a wider mission to tackle gender imbalance in aviation and engineering. Women remain significantly underrepresented despite progress.

They make up around 30 per cent of the UK STEM workforce and less than 10 per cent of pilots, according to data from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Research shows that many girls begin to rule out these careers early, not because of ability, but due to a lack of confidence and exposure.

Early bird tickets sold out in 72 hours, with more than 800 of the 1,000 tickets snapped up in four days.

Organisers in response have expanded the festival to two days for the first time, opening up an additional 500 places for families across Cornwall and Devon.

A spokesperson for Reach for the Skies said: “The overwhelming response to this year’s festival reflects a growing appetite from parents, teachers and educators to give young people meaningful exposure to careers in STEM.

“Parents are increasingly looking for opportunities to show their children just how vast and exciting these industries can be, while schools and educators are eager for real-world experiences that bring learning to life beyond the classroom.

“Events like the Reach for the Sky Festival help bridge that gap, offering hands-on access, inspiring role models and a chance for young people to imagine futures they might not otherwise see.

“We are inviting businesses and organisations across the South West to get involved by running activities, sponsoring experiences or supporting outreach.

“Partnering with TECgirls offers a powerful way to inspire future talent while making a meaningful impact.”

Josie Hutt from Cornwall Airport Newquay said: “We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the TECgirls Reach for the Sky Festival once again this year at Spaceport Cornwall, here at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

“Following the success of 2025, it’s fantastic to see the event expand to two days, giving even more families the opportunity to take part.

“Inspiring the next generation is at the heart of what we do, and this festival brings aviation to life in such an engaging and accessible way. From air traffic control to airside engineering, it opens young people’s eyes to the wide range of careers available and helps them see the opportunities within the industry.”