UK Airshow News – Airscene News

Prepare for take off – less than 10 weeks to go!

It’s less than 10 weeks until aircraft start arriving at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

In this week’s update, we have an array of aircraft from the Royal Netherlands Air Force, including their Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft appearing at a British airshow for the first time in over a decade. They’ll also be sending the Airbus A330 MRTT from the Multinational Multirole Tanker Transport Unit, an NH90 NFH, and their new AH-64E Apache Guardian. We also have a Eurocopter EC135 for static display from the Irish Air Corps as well as a further five civilian additions also lining up on the Gloucestershire tarmac.

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We all love the iconic film ‘Top Gun’, and believe it or not, this week marks 39 years since the original film’s release in 1986. For your own ‘Top Gun’ moment, join us at RIAT25. Be quick though, as tickets for Friday and Saturday are very close to selling out!

If you want to make your day extra special this year, then why not upgrade to one of our enclosures. While Saturday is completely sold out for all enclosures except Altitude, our newest enclosure, there are still enclosures available for Friday and Sunday. There is an enclosure for every taste and budget. Browse our range of options here. Upgrade your experience today!

Book Tickets HERE

Shuttleworth’s Military Air Show Returns with the First Split Flying Display of the Season

Saturday 31 May sees the hotly anticipated return of one of Shuttleworth’s most popular air shows. This year’s Military Air Show is also the first of the venue’s new split flying displays.

The Military Air Show will feature an afternoon display from 14:00 to 17:30 and an evening display from 19:30 to 20:30 with fantastic visiting and Shuttleworth Collection aircraft in each display. By presenting a unique split flying display, Shuttleworth is excited to offer two thrilling displays at one event, the chance to see some amazing aircraft in spectacular dusk lighting, and to increase the chance of getting the Collection’s oldest airworthy Edwardian aircraft into the air – as these delicate machines require very specific weather conditions.

The Collection’s Westland Lysander – in its iconic Special Duties Service operations livery – will play out a mock special operations scenario, and a visiting Albatros D.Va will display a mock dogfight with Shuttleworth’s WWI Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a aircraft. There will be a special Dunkirk formation featuring two genuine Battle of France veterans: the Hawker Hurricane Mk I and Supermarine Spitfire Ia. The day will also celebrate the f ighters of the era with the Collection’s own Spitfire taking to the skies too.

This year’s displays will include a number of Shuttleworth debuts: the Douglas R4D-6S ‘Ready 4 Duty’ will display, as well as being available to explore as a static exhibit prior to the display, the Curtiss P-40C and P-36C will feature in the evening display, with the Fairey Swordfish appearing in the afternoon.

There will be plenty of entertainment for visitors between displays with live music, vintage bus rides, an extra vehicle parade for the Shuttleworth Collection’s veteran vehicle fleet, a free fun fair, and much more to explore at Shuttleworth House.

Outside the usual ground attractions (all of which are included in the cost of a ticket), the Military Air Show is well known and loved for its military camp featuring various reenactors. This year sees a number of reenactor groups heading to the aerodrome, including the No 9 Airborne Field Company Royal Engineers, Rifles Living History Society from the Isle of Wight, Beds and Herts Regiment Re-enactment – who cover the 1950’s Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment on duty in the Middle East; and Feeding Tommy – the chance to experience a WWI field kitchen.

As with any Shuttleworth air show, there’s always plenty of ways for customers to enhance their visit. From Flightline Tours – where you can go onto the airfield itself – to pleasure flights with Cambridge Flying Group and Scillonia Airways, or accommodation at Shuttleworth House to make the most of a weekend.

James Butt, Flight Display Organiser at Shuttleworth, said, “In this new-look Shuttleworth 2025 air show season, we are delighted to bring back the ever-popular Military Air Show honouring those who have served and still serve today. We are very excited to bring you our first split flying display, showcasing some truly rare and unique military aircraft as well as giving our audience the ultimate Shuttleworth experience with an afternoon flying display and an evening flying display all included in one ticket.”

Shuttleworth’s Military Air Show takes place on Saturday 31 May. Tickets start from £36, and kids go free. For tickets and more details, visit www.shuttleworth.org

Royal International Air Tattoo looking for your memories ahead of anniversary celebrations

Organisers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) are asking for people to share their memories of the aviation showcase as they celebrate 40 years since moving to RAF Fairford.

This summer’s show marks four decades since Air Tattoo first touched down in Gloucestershire, with 32 shows taking place at the rural airfield since then.

As part of the celebrations, the event is set to have a heritage area on the showground to recognise the show’s history and organisers are looking for people to contribute with their photos and memories of attending the show.

To take part, you will need to email your photos and stories to 40Years@rafcte.com for a chance for them to feature on a memory wall at this year’s show, which is due to take place from Friday 18th-Sunday 20th July.

Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are hugely proud of our relationship with RAF Fairford and the local area and are looking forward to celebrating it at this summer’s event.

“Since 1985 we have been inviting people and aircraft from all over the world to be a part of what we do, and we would love to be able to share some of your memories with visitors who are joining us this year.”

With less than 75 days to go until this summer’s event, RIAT have already announced over 50 different aircraft including the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Swedish Air Force Blackhawk and a Royal Danish Air Force F-16.

Tickets are available via www.airtattoo.com.

Welcome back to favourites the Royal Navy Black Cats, and more!

This week we have more additions to the flying display with the Royal Navy Black Cats.

Returning after wowing the crowd last year, where they picked up the Steedman Display Sword for the British participant with the most notable contribution, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for you this summer.

Elsewhere and part of our Eyes in the Skies theme, we’ve got a Boeing E-3F Sentry on static courtesy of the French Air & Space Force as well as Royal Navy Merlin and privately owned Piper Super Cub – which has only been seen at RIAT once before – as well as a Defender from the Finnish Army. We are aware of incidents involving aircraft which are due to display at RIAT25. We await news from their respective national authorities on any impact to their appearance at the show and will update in due course.

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Tickets for this year’s show are flying and with aviation in the news this week following the RAF’s incredible flypast to commemorate 80 years since VE Day.

In total there were over 20 different types of aircraft taking part and if you’d like to catch a glimpse of some of them again, you can at this year’s RIAT!

Less than 2000 Saturday and 1000 Friday Tickets left… don’t miss out!

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New Irish Air Corps additions & classic jets await at RIAT25!

This week we have another F-16 added to the flying display, this time from the Polish Air Force! They will bring their ‘Tiger Demo Team’ to perform in the flying display.

In addition, four additions to the static line! The Irish Air Corps will bring their Pilatus PC-12NG and AW139 helicopter. The Commemorative Air Force will be extending their ‘Navy to Victory’ Tour with their Douglas R4D-6S “Ready for Duty” aircraft to include an appearance at RIAT25. This will be part of our theme celebrating 40 years since the first Air Tattoo was held at RAF Fairford in 1985, as the aircraft was here at IAT85. Finally, we add another classic jet to the lineup with a Fouga Magister, privately operated in France.

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Time is running out to secure your place at RIAT25. We now have less than 5000 general admission tickets left for Saturday. And Friday is hot on its heels.

We only have one enclosure left for Saturday now which is Altitude. If you want to upgrade your experience then you need to act now! We don’t want you to miss out on all the incredible aircraft we have lined up for this year’s show. So book your ticket today while you still can! We can’t wait to see you all there.

Book Tickets HERE

The De Havilland Moth Club Present a New Event at Shuttleworth

On Thursday 31 July and Friday 1 August, the de Havilland Moth Club present their DH.60 Centenary Fly In event at Shuttleworth Aerodrome (Old Warden).

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the first flight of the prototype DH.60 Moth, the aeroplane conceived and developed by Captain Geoffrey de Havilland which, together with its Cirrus and later Gipsy engine, revolutionised the concept of the light aeroplane around the world, as well as establishing the practicalities for Club flying and private ownership.

Across two days, visitors can enjoy seeing what is anticipated to be the largest gathering of DH.60 Moths since the Second World War, including several flying in from bases overseas. Marvelling at a fantastic array of de Havilland Moths flying into the iconic home of Richard Shuttleworth, a well-known de Havilland enthusiast, visitors can also take in a short bespoke flying display, featuring de Havilland aircraft from Shuttleworth’s Collection, including the oldest flying DH.60 Moth in the world, the Tiger 9 Display Team and more to be announced on Friday 1 August.

Outside of the airborne action, guests can enjoy an open airfield area, allowing them to get as close as possible to these stunning aircraft. Then there are all six of Shuttleworth’s Collection hangars to explore, and the calm idyl of the nine-acre Regency Garden to relax in before refuelling at the popular on-site Runway Café.

Stuart McKay, Secretary of the de Havilland Moth Club, said, “We have waited 100 years for this unique opportunity to salute the inspiration of Captain Geoffrey de Havilland who, against all the accepted beliefs of the day independently proceeded with the design and construction of a suitable engine and airframe which, in 1925, were agreed to be the most practical solution to providing standard equipment for the emerging light aeroplane clubs being promoted, encouraged and subsidised by the British Government under a scheme soon to be copied by the governments of Australia and Canada.”

Jean Munn, Head of Engineering at Shuttleworth said, “We are delighted to be hosting the de Havilland Moth Club for their DH.60 centenary celebration, an aircraft that our founder Richard Shuttleworth was so very fond of. We hope to see the aviation community turn out to support this fantastic occasion.”

Tickets for the DH.60 Centenary Fly In event, presented by the de Havilland Moth Club, start from £18 and children attend for free. Tickets can be purchased via www.shuttleworth.org

Record speed for RIAT ticket sales as event announces popular Italian display team

Organisers of The Royal International Air Tattoo have confirmed tickets for this year’s show are selling at record speed for the third successive year.

The event, which is held at RAF Fairford, has already sold over 100,000 tickets for this year’s show, putting them ahead of the same time last year.

Last July, 168,000 people descended on the rural airfield for three days of aerobatic displays, interactive tech exhibits and the chance to talk to pilots and their crew, and this year looks to be no different with demand for tickets at an all-time high.

With Saturday 19^th July close to selling out, organisers have recently announced the Italian display team, the Frecce Tricolori will be performing over the Gloucestershire skies this summer.

Joining the Frecce are a further three flying displays and three static displays from the Italian Air Force. These join an already extensive list of aircraft from 15 nations confirmed for RIAT, with many more aircraft to be added to the line-up in the coming weeks.

Head of Air Operations at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Peter Reoch said: “The Frecce Tricolori are always a welcome addition to the RIAT flying programme and visitors who joined us in 2022 will know how impressive and energetic their display is to watch.

“We’re grateful to the Italian Air Force for their continued support and look forward to welcoming their aircraft and crew to RAF Fairford later this year.”

In just over three months, RIAT will return and highlight the importance of aviation in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, search and rescue, and more, under the theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’.

So far, the aviation show case has announced the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, a Spanish Navy Harrier as well as a Portuguese Merlin, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, Danish F-16 and Swedish Black Hawk helicopter displaying for the first time with a number of announcements still to come.

“We are looking forward to this summer’s show, we already have some great aircraft confirmed to be taking part and will be adding to the line-up right up until the show later this year,” added Peter

“Ticket sales have been incredible, at RIAT we know our event is an incredible day out whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a family with young children or someone who has never been to the event before – we have something for everyone. Tickets are available via www.airtattoo.com

Shuttleworth’s 2025 Air Show Season Kicks Off in Style

On Sunday 11 May, the skies of Bedfordshire will once again be filled with aircraft as Shuttleworth’s 2025 air show season kicks off in style with their Season Premiere Air
Show.

A traditional Sunday air show, the Season Premiere offers the perfect opening to a new season with something for the whole family to enjoy. The air display will feature a range of exciting visiting aircraft, many making their Shuttleworth debuts – an aspect that Shuttleworth has a growing reputation for developing into an ever-more thrilling spectacle. The US ‘Ready 4 Duty’ team (Douglas R4D-6S) will be on site as a static exhibit to explore prior to taking to the skies at later shows. Shuttleworth also boasts its own stunning Collection of aircraft – dating back to 1909 – of which many will take to the skies on the day. From fan favourites like the de Havilland DH.88 Comet to the Sopwith Triplane and Supermarine Spitfire, the Collection alone promises to leave visitors in awe of these remarkable historic aircraft that Shuttleworth’s engineers maintain in an airworthy condition.

Outside of the flying, air shows at Shuttleworth promise ground entertainment throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a free fun fair, delicious food and drink and stalls to browse, whilst children can discover a variety of STEM activities from Shuttleworth Learning’s Discovery Zones. Visitors can watch a parade of the Collection’s veteran vehicle fleet or catch a vintage bus to Shuttleworth House – the former home of the founder of the Collection, Richard Shuttleworth, and an award-winning events and wedding venue. The Clayton and Shuttleworth Heritage Team will be on hand to display working exhibits of steam traction engines and more, and then there are nine idyllic acres of Regency Garden to explore.

For a small additional fee (no more than £12 per person), guests can enjoy a guided tour of Shuttleworth House or take the opportunity to go onto the airfield itself with a Flightline Tour – limited availability for Season Premiere.

Various third parties will also offer air experience flights: Cambridge Flying Group in their two-seater, open cockpit Tiger Moths, Scillonia Airways with their de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide, and Warbird Experience with their North American T6 Harvard ‘Wacky Wabbit’.

For those who want to turn a flying visit into an unforgettable stay, there is camping available, as well as beautiful Garden Suite accommodation at Shuttleworth House.

Marc Boult, Head of Visitor Operations at Shuttleworth, said, “We cannot wait to start the 2025 air show season. With a refreshed layout, amazing ground entertainment and stunning air displays, we’ve got a full day’s entertainment for the whole family, and what’s unique about Shuttleworth is just how close you can get to the aircraft. We’ve got big plans for 2025 so don’t miss it!”

The Season Premiere Air Show is the first of seven spectacular shows taking place at Shuttleworth this year, each with their own unique charm and theme:

Military Air Show – 31 May
Festival of Flight Air Show – 28 & 29 June (Red Arrows appearing on Saturday)
Summer Air Show – 26 July
Flying Proms Air Show – 16 August
Best of British Air Show – 30 August
Race Day Air Show – 5 October

The Season Premiere Air Show takes place on Sunday 11 May. Tickets start from £34, and kids go free. For tickets, and more details about the full season, visit www.shuttleworth.org

Exciting debutants announced for this year’s Air Tattoo

This week’s update has something for everyone with theme-related aircraft and RIAT debutants!

Starting with our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’, we are delighted to say we will be joined in July by a pairs display of photo-reconnaissance Spitfires, with a Mk.XI and Mk.XIX flying together to showcase both the Merlin and Griffon engine Spitfires in a distinctive blue colour scheme.

Elsewhere we have another rare addition to the static display from the Spanish Air & Space Force with their CASA VIGMA aircraft, plus a pair of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from the Hellenic Air Force this summer will mark the first time these jets have ever participated at the Air Tattoo! Rounding off this week, we have two more civilian aircraft participating in the static display with a pair of ex-RAF Bulldog training aircraft.

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Last chance! Early bird pricing for Sunday ends midnight, Tuesday 22nd April

We extended our early bird pricing for general admission Sunday, and 5% off Sunday enclosures through Easter. And now it’s your last chance to get your Sunday tickets at a discounted price. Act now before it’s too late! All tickets will be at full price from Tuesday 22nd April at midnight.

All enclosures on Saturday are now SOLD OUT, apart from Altitude. If you want to upgrade your experience you will need to be very quick as we expect it follow suit and sell out soon. Friday is selling much faster than last year and Sunday is catching up. Don’t miss out, we know you’ll be disappointed if you do. Buy your tickets today!

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The Spanish Harrier returns to thrill at this year’s Air Tattoo

The Spanish Harrier is back!

Always a popular sight and a welcome addition to the flying programme, the iconic jet will be participating in this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

Also in this week’s announcement, we have a Slovak Air Force C-27J Spartan on the static line-up as well as a further four civilian aircraft with two Soko J-20 Kraguj and a pair of DHC Chipmunk T.10s which will also be lining up on the tarmac.

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Tickets are flying out – there are less than 10,000 tickets remaining for Saturday, so be quick to secure your place. Only the Family Enclosure, FRIAT and Altitude still have space in their enclosures.

Friday is also seeing high demand, selling faster than ever before! Sunday is still at Early Bird prices, so this is a great opportunity to get your tickets at the best price available now.

Book Tickets HERE