Archive for the ‘UK Airshow News’ Category

Our first F-16s announced!

Friday, March 15th, 2024

RIAT F16

This week we are pleased to unveil our first F-16s, courtesy of the Royal Danish Air Force.

The Danes are the first nation to confirm attendance of the iconic fast-jet, which will feature as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations for the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

They will be sending their solo display, flown by well-known demo pilot Teo, plus at least one other F-16 to join our international static display line-up at RAF Fairford this summer.

Our final addition this week is a CL-604 for static display.

A British Antartic Survey Twin Otter will be joining us in July

Earlier this year we revealed that a British Antartic Survey Twin Otter will be joining us on the showground in July.

Recently we caught up with their Air Unit Operations Coordinator Dan Beedon, to find out a little bit more about what it’s like to work at the world’s most southerly point.

From now until the summer, we will be providing updates from a variety of people who work alongside the Twin Otter.

www.airtattoo.com

F35 Fighter Jet to Debut New Display At The RAF Cosford Air Show 2024

Friday, March 8th, 2024

RAF Cosford Air Show F35

The RAF Cosford Air Show are thrilled to announce that an F35 fighter jet from RAF Marham will perform their brand new ‘role demo’ display for the first time at the RAF Cosford Air Show, held on Sunday 9th June 2024.

A capacity crowd of 55,000 people attended the Air Show in 2023 and organisers are promising more excitement in the air and on the ground for 2024.

The role demo is anticipated to demonstrate the latest operational generation of fighter jet’s capability, including high speed passes and other thrilling manoeuvres, never before performed by an F35 from 617 Squadron.

Marilyn Summers, Commercial Director said: ‘We’re very excited to be welcoming an F35 from 617 Squadron to Cosford once again and seeing their brand new ‘role demo’ display. It is very fitting that the new display will debut at the RAF’s only Air Show

‘In 2023 a static replica F35 gave the next generation a unique opportunity to get up close and even sit in the jet, with a flypast from an F35 proving to be a crowd favourite at the Air Show in 2022 and 2023.
We can’t wait for audiences to experience this exhilarating display for the first time at the Royal Air Force Cosford Air Show.’

Tickets for the RAF Cosford Air Show are now on sale and can be purchased at www.CosfordAirShow.co.uk/Tickets

Royal Air Force aircraft at RIAT

Friday, March 8th, 2024

RIAT Red Arrows

Our first RAF announcements are here!

It is with huge excitement that we can announce our first Royal Air Force flying display.
Headlining this announcement, we have none other than the Red Arrows.

Back at full strength with a full team of nine jets, they will be celebrating their 60th anniversary with a display that will bring in many formations and shapes not seen in years.
In addition to the Red Arrows, we have two fantastic fast jet solo displays. First, the Eurofighter Typhoon. A fan favourite that has a real impact with its high-octane display.

Second is the F-35B, this year performing a full display with a mixture of high-speed passes, tight turns, and its iconic hover.

Pretty great so far, right? Well the RAF aren’t done yet.

Finally, we have the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Friday visitors will be treated to a series of flypasts, whilst on Saturday and Sunday, join us to see a very special display which will see the Lancaster accompanied by four historic fighter aircraft.

Alongside the RAF announcement, we also have a whole host of aircraft from QinetiQ attending the static display. We aim to park these alongside other British flight test aircraft for our
‘Pushing the boundaries’ theme.

Remember that this is your last week to get your hands on some special offers!

On midnight Sunday 10th March, all discounted prices on enclosures will be ending, as well as Super Early Bird Sunday general admission tickets.

https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/tickets-packages

Offers extended for one more week

Monday, March 4th, 2024

RIAT Offers extended

https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/tickets-packages

First formation display team confirmed…

Sunday, March 3rd, 2024

RIAT Midnight Hawks

The Midnight Hawks are confirmed!

Here at RIAT HQ, we are thrilled to announce our first formation display team, with the Finnish Air Force’s Midnight Hawks joining us for the first time since 2017.
We’re sure the four-ship aerobatics team will be a popular addition for visitors at RAF Fairford this year.

This week we also revealed two aircraft for the static display, with the first being a retired Turbo Firecat (shown left), which making its RIAT debut after recently retiring from service as a water bomber for Sécurité Civile in France. Secondly, we have an ex-QinetiQ Gazelle from Gazelle Squadron joining under our Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space theme.

www.airtattoo.com

More additions to the RIAT line-up

Sunday, February 25th, 2024

RIAT SF-5M

This week, we have a great update for aviation enthusiasts with a pair of Spanish Air Force SF-5M Freedom Fighters joining our static display.

In July, they will feature alongside a host of aircraft from other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) nations as we celebrate their 75th anniversary this summer.
Also included in this week’s announcement, we have additions from the Czech Air Force.

Firstly, their popular SAAB Gripen will be taking part in the flying display, Plus, an L-159 ALCA will be on static display across the weekend.

Our final update is a trio of HM Coastguard helicopters from Bristow Helicopters, including a brand new AW139.

www.airtattoo.com

Fantastic additions to our static display

Sunday, February 18th, 2024

RIAT Hunter

This week, we add four fantastic civilian operated aircraft to our static line-up.

Pictured above, we have the iconic Hawker Hunter returning to the show. Operated by many North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Air Arms during its early years, we thought it would only be fitting to have one at the show as we celebrate their 75th anniversary.

Joining our theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’, we have another aircraft used for scientific research.

After its debut last year, we are very happy to welcome back Cranfield University’s SAAB 340 aircraft, a fully capable flying laboratory.

www.airtattoo.com

Be part of Bournemouth Air Festival

Sunday, February 11th, 2024

Bournemouth Air Festival 2024

Dates for this year’s Bournemouth Air Festival have been announced, presenting an opportunity for businesses and sponsors to participate in the world’s biggest land and air festival by the sea.

Bournemouth Air Festival, organised by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, will return on Thursday 29 August – Saturday 31 August this year.

Another jam-packed programme of world-class aerobatic displays will take to the skies, while plenty of entertainment for all ages will be accessible along 1.5 miles of award-winning coastline.

Fairground rides, Pier to Pier trading, fireworks, vintage displays, demonstrations from the Army and Navy, exciting night air displays and plenty more is all to be expected at this year’s festival.

The landmark event is also hoping to inspire budding engineers with an enhanced STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Village on the beach. Further to its success in 2023, the innovation-inspired village will feature unique demonstrations and displays from industry-leading companies, both local and national.

Across four days, more than 600,000 people attended the last Bournemouth Air Festival. Over 11,000 copies of the official programme were sold; Bournemouth Air Festival social media accounts, which boast a combined following of more than 110,000 people, achieved over 1.8 million engagements; and the dedicated webpage was visited by over 1.4 million users.

Participating brands and sponsors, which have previously included Porsche, Sunseeker, Rowse and Marriott, each benefitted from the equivalent of £3.5 million in advertising value, while the festival itself was detailed in over 1,400 items of coverage from local, national and international media.

BCP Council is now inviting sponsors, traders and exhibitors to come forward to register interest in being part of this year’s festival, which has the largest single audience of any aviation event in Europe.

As only a limited number of spaces are available, we advise registering interest early to avoid disappointment.

Amanda Barrie, Director of Commercial Operations at BCP Council, said:
“With its iconic planes, aerobatics, plentiful entertainment and welcoming family-friendly atmosphere, Bournemouth Air Festival is a fantastic finale to the summer, drawing in crowds far and wide.

“This year we’re planning to make the festival even more memorable; listen out for further announcements regarding the event programme in the coming months.”

Councillor Millie Earl, Portfolio Holder for Tourism at BCP Council, continued:
“Bournemouth Air Festival marks a huge opportunity for sponsors, traders and exhibitors to get in front of consumers, grow and bring fresh eyes to their brand. The festival has the potential to bring a wealth of opportunities, whether your business is local, national or international.

“Whether you choose to sponsor display acts or the STEM Village, take a prime trading location on the cliff or beach, or have your brand featured in the widely sold official festival programme, the event is a chance to make meaningful connections and develop new relationships.”

Since last Summer, BCP Council has prioritised working with businesses and external organisations to operate a collaboratively funded, sustainable festival in 2024.

Looking forward, the council is now inviting expressions of interest from operators to manage and deliver Bournemouth Air Festival in its entirety from 2025 onwards, enabling forward-thinking businesses and organisations to take the lead in continually growing, developing and building the event into a one of a kind ‘Festival of the Air’ spectacle.
Councillor Earl added: “This is a hugely exciting opportunity to run, grow and shape an impactful event that has made a significant contribution to the local tourism economy over its remarkable 16-year history.

“Consistently attracting over half a million visitors, Bournemouth Air Festival boasts an eclectic atmosphere, with day and evening air displays and entertainment attracting a broad demographic. If you think your business could help to grow and develop the festival, and the festival could help you to grow and develop your business, we’d love to hear from you.”

“I’d like to say a huge thank you to the business community, council officers and BCP Cabinet members who, amid passionate public appeal, have worked together on these plans to organise a sustainably funded festival this year, and in years moving forward.

“Our area is built on a visitor economy and these plans are about supporting the businesses that depend on the festival with a sustainable, long-term strategy. We also recognise the cultural value it brings in making the area a great place to live, work and play, and I’m excited to see what the future will bring.”

Sponsors, traders and exhibitors who would like to register interest in being part of the festival in 2024, should email Ali Perrins, Event Manager, at alison.perrins@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or apply online here: www.bournemouthair.co.uk/commercial/

www.bournemouthair.co.uk

And we’re off!

Sunday, February 11th, 2024

RIAT Harrier

Every week we will be unveiling new additions to our line-up ahead of this year’s show.

Kicking us off, we have a Spanish Navy Harrier returning to the skies this year after performing its dazzling solo display in 2023. We hope you are as excited as we are to see this incredible piece of aviation history known as the ‘Matador’, perform in July.

In our first static display update, the Finnish Air Force are providing one of their F/A-18C Hornets.
As we celebrate the North Atlantic Treaty Order Organisation (NATO)’s 75th anniversary, we hope to feature a collection of aircraft from NATO nations on the showground, so stay tuned for further announcements.

Adding to our ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ theme, we have an aircraft with a unique purpose, coming in the form of a Twin Otter, operated by the British Antarctic Survey.

From using skis to land, to operating in incredibly harsh conditions whilst undertaking scientific work, the striking aircraft is a must see this summer.

www.airtattoo.com

Last chance for savings on tickets!

Monday, January 29th, 2024

RIAT Savings

Savings come to an end on the 31st…

You have until midnight on Wednesday 31st January to grab yourself a discount on tickets or enclosures. Once they are gone, they are gone – so be quick to secure your ticket!
End of all discounted Saturday prices

Saturday Early Bird General Admission tickets will be ending on Wednesday 31st January, going up to full price.
At the same time, our 5% off offers on all Saturday enclosures will also be coming to an end.

We have limited availability on a number of Saturday enclosure upgrades, with many close to selling out. So secure your place now at the best possible price.

https://www.airtattoo.com/tickets-hospitality/hospitality-packages/