After selling-out at a record pace the Royal International Air Tattoo proved to be a hit as hundreds of aircraft soared over RAF Fairford in front of thousands of visitors.

In total, the aviation showcase welcomed 248 aircraft from 29 nations as 150,000 people descended on the rural airfield.

On Friday, as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (NATO) 75th anniversary, visitors were treated to a unique flypast featuring aircraft from different NATO nations together, led by a Royal Air Force Rivet Joint.

Saturday saw history being made as the Royal Air Force Typhoon completed its first public display on sustainable aviation fuel, as well as celebrations for both the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary and the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which turned 50-years old this year.

Chief Executive Officer for Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Paul Atherton said: “This year has been a stellar event, with highlights across the weekend.”

“We have been delighted with the level of support and I’d like to say thank you to everyone involved in facilitating our event, from visitors, aircrew, staff members and volunteers – without them, we wouldn’t be able to host the Royal International Air Tattoo.”

On the ground, there was plenty for people to get involved with as the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, RIAT’s parent charity, provided a booster line-up for the Inspire Stage with Tom Fletcher, Jessica Gagen and Grace Webb all speaking to young people about their experiences with aviation.

Tickets for next year’s show are already on sale, with next year’s Air Tattoo due to take place on 18th, 19th and 20th of July.

“Work is already well underway for next year’s event and we look forward to sharing our plans with you in the coming months,” added Paul.

“We would love to have you join us here at RAF Fairford next summer and with tickets already on sale, now is the best time to secure your place for the best possible price.”

Tickets are available via www.AirTattoo.com.

This weekend aircrew from around the world brought their world-famous F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft to RAF Fairford, as the jet’s 50th anniversary was celebrated at RIAT.

After first flying in 1974, the aircraft is currently still in production and is well renowned for its speed and agility.

Celebrating the jet’s 50th anniversary was a theme for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, alongside ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, 100-years of the Royal Canadian Air Force and 75-years of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

On Saturday afternoon, alongside RIAT’s static ‘Viper Line’ which extended over 300 metres in length with aircraft from different eras and nations, current operators took part in an event to mark five decades of the flagship Lockheed Martin product. The line-up was headed by a jet from the Royal Netherlands Air Force which had special markings applied especially for RIAT, inspired by the red, white and blue livery of the first YF-16 prototype.

Head of Air Operations at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Peter Reoch said: “We’ve been working for nearly eighteen months on making sure the event was a worthy celebration for the 50th Anniversary of such an iconic aircraft.

“To see F-16s from so many nations together in one place has been truly unique and a sight which should live long in the memory of all those who visit RIAT this weekend.”

In addition to the long line of jets in different colour schemes and marking on the static display, the weekend’s flying programme was punctuated with flying displays from the Fighting Falcon with Denmark and Turkey showcasing their jets in the air.

“The F-16 is symbolic of enduring partnerships and industrial collaboration. From the beginning, the F-16 program laid the groundwork for close cooperation, allied standardization and joint training practices,” said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager, Integrated Fighter Group.

“Fifty years later, it still is building and sustaining partnerships – all of which were on display at this the RIAT celebration.”

www.airtattoo.com

This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) had a touch of the transatlantic about it as the Royal Canadian Air Force marked their 100th birthday at the world-renowned airshow.

Celebrating all things Canada, they had a designated area on the showground, routinely patrolled by their RCAF Centennial mascot Astra, who posed for pictures with visitors.

On Saturday morning crew members, engineers and the RCAF Commander, Lieutenant-General Eric Jean Kenny were presented a birthday cake from RIAT, in recognition of their centenary.

The Canadian’s arrived with a number of different aircraft, including a yellow Kingfisher for the first time which featured alongside other aircraft on their static display, while the CF-188 Hornet, which was in a special paint scheme for this year, took part in the flying display.

RIAT’s Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch, said: “It was a pleasure to host an exciting array of aircraft from our Canadian friends at the show this year, from the huge CC-177 Globemaster to the much smaller Chipmunk, there was something of interest for everyone.

“Friday’s special flypast with the Hornet alongside the RAF Red Arrows was the icing on the cake.”

RAF Fairford is the only place in Europe where the Canadians are recognising their landmark birthday, which has been a theme of this year’s alongside ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and 50-years of the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon.

Col Maggie Jacula, RCAF 2024 Campaign Manager said: “It is an absolute honour to be here at RIAT to celebrate the Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“We have received such kind hospitality from the RIAT team and the general public who have come to visit our aircraft and crews and to enjoy a bit of Canadiana at the RCAF Centennial Tent.

“It is wonderful to be able to share our Centennial with our British friends.”

Tickets for next year’s show are already on sale via www.AirTattoo.com.

It’s the finishing touches to this year’s line-up this week, with our final aircraft announcement for RIAT24.

With well over 200 aircraft already confirmed we are delighted to be adding a pair of Phantoms from the Hellenic Air Force to the static display! In addition we’ll also have Royal Navy Wildcat, more American F-16s, Metrea King Air and new Tecnam operated by the RAF’s Rapid Capability Office.

To view your full finalised line up for this year’s show, visit below.

www.airtattoo.com/the-airshow/aircraft-and-pilots/aircraft-updates

As our American friends celebrate Independence Day, we are pleased to confirm more USAF aircraft coming to RIAT24.

Starting with the mighty B-52 Stratofortress, this awesome jet will be on static display over the weekend. In addition, we have a F-35A Lightning II, a pair of F-15E Strike Eagles, both from RAF Lakenheath also on static display. Finally, a highlight of the Friday show will be the U-2 taking to the sky as part of our flying display programme before parking up on static display for the rest of the weekend.

Another Friday treat will be the rare appearance of a RC-135 Rivet Joint from the Royal Air Force, which will lead a multination flypast to recognise 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.

www.airtattoo.com

As the show gets closer, the aircraft keep coming!

We know you’ve all been excited for the confirmation of USAF aircraft, and this week we can confirm a number of their aircraft which will be featuring at the show as part of our plans to celebrate 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Joining us for the first time in many years we have a RC-135V Rivet Joint, alongside a myriad of other types such the C-17, C-21, MC-130, KC-135, KC-46 and KC-10. This will be the last chance to see the mighty KC-10 at RIAT, as they retire from service later this year, so don’t miss out! They will also be providing a pair of F-16s to take part in our ‘Viper Line’ static display, coming from the 93rd Fighter Squadron.

Elsewhere, the RAF are sending a C-17 Globemaster which will be dropping the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team to open the Friday flying display. After performing the salute flypast, the huge transport aircraft will be static display on Saturday & Sunday.

Another flying display addition comes in the form of a Supermarine Spitfire Vb, in Canadian markings. This is appearing as part of Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial celebrations and which should be performing a heritage flight alongside the Canadian Hornet on Saturday & Sunday.

www.airtattoo.com

The final display team to be added to the RIAT24 flying display this week, with the return of the Saudi Hawks!

The Saudi team will star alongside display teams from Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Jordan and the UK.

Some huge additions to the static display this week, with a pair of Airbus A330 aircraft, one being an MRTT from Saudi Arabia and the other a Royal Air Force Voyager. Other additions to the static line-up this week include the PC-7, PC-24, F-15SA, A400M, C-295 and EC135!

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In just over four weeks, RAF pilot Flight Lieutenant David ‘Turbo’ Turnbull will be preparing to display at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.

With almost 200 aircraft already confirmed, the event has experienced unprecedented demand ahead of next month’s show, with it only having tickets remaining for Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July after announcing it had sold out of tickets for Saturday earlier this month.

In what is his debut season as the RAF Typhoon display pilot, the 32-year-old will be putting his iconic aircraft through its paces in front of 150,000 people at the aviation showcase, which is held at RAF Fairford.

“RIAT is the big one. So many pilots travel from all over the world to take part in RIAT and for me it’s the home match,” he said

“I feel incredibly proud to represent the RAF and UK military at this amazing airshow.”

This year the show is celebrating 100-years of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, 50-years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, plus their operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’.

Ahead of this year’s airshow season, the RAF display Typhoon’s new livery was unveiled with it being inspired by a Hawker Typhoon from World War II.

Capable of reaching speeds of 1,550mph, the fast jet makes for exciting viewing and the RAF pilot is looking forward to demonstrating the aircraft’s capabilities in the Cotswold skies.

“The display is going to be fast, aggressive and varied. It is definitely going to wow the crowds as it still wows me,” he added.

“The Typhoon is a beast. I have realised that to a much greater extent during the last couple of months working up to perform the typhoon display. It can go from -3G to +9G and it makes it feel so simple.

“I still remember my first take off in Typhoon, dry power only (without afterburners), and I had never felt acceleration like it. It was on a different level.

“Performing this outstanding aircraft to its limits is very rewarding. It is hard work, but incredibly easy to get motivated for, as you can imagine.

“The step down of heights has made the display physically more challenging at every level, it is a real work out.”

Every week, the event announces more participating aircraft and tickets are selling fast, but to secure your spot visit www.AirTattoo.com.

This week we’ve got a bumper line-up of additions for both the flying and static displays at this summer’s RIAT.

Flying on both Saturday and Sunday, RAF Fairford is one of only three places you can watch the popular Chinook take to the skies this year, performing a special ‘role demonstration’ which will show off the helicopter’s battlefield capabilities such as transport underslung cargo.

Sticking with the flying display, those who are joining us on Friday will be able to see an Embraer KC-390 Millenium, courtesy of Embraer who will showcase the agility of their new transport aircraft.

On the ground, from the British Army we’ve got their new AH-64E Apache plus Wildcat. We’ve also got an Italian Tornado and RAF Puma, plus a host of civilian aircraft.

www.airtattoo.com

• Tickets for this year’s event continue to sell at a record pace
• Over 150 aircraft confirmed to take part with further announcements still to come
• All U18s given free entry to the event

A series of aircraft participation confirmations from the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has led to the event selling out on its busiest day.

The event’s bumper aircraft announcement started with the Boeing F-15QA Ababil being unveiled in what will be a dynamic display with plenty of high-speed manoeuvres from this rare Qatari jet.

The world-renowned airshow, which is being held at RAF Fairford from July 19th-21st then revealed the Norwegian Yellow Sparrow display team will also be attending, the first time the display team have performed in the UK.

The Royal Moroccan Air Force, who are returning to the show for the first time since 1995, rounded off the unveilings with a pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons on static display.

Following on from the announcements, the show has now sold out on general admission for Saturday 20th July, with Friday 19th and Sunday 21st July still available but selling fast.

This year, the aviation showcase is highlighting the F-16 as it celebrates its 50th anniversary, 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary as well as its operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ in recognition of 100 years of military aviation Test and Evaluation flying.

Every year the event attracts 150,000 people to the rural airfield, with last year’s show seeing over 250 aircraft in attendance.

RAFCTE Chief Executive Officer, Paul Atherton said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting the event again this year.

“We’ve some really interesting themes that explore all aspects of aviation from iconic fast jets to aircraft which operate in unique environments.

“Again, we are thrilled to see the level of support the show has received. We are very grateful that so many people enjoy our event and I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of attending to get tickets while they still can.”

In addition to dazzling displays in the air with the likes of the Red Arrows, Spanish Harrier, Patrouille Suisse and Canadian Hornet already confirmed, there is plenty to see on the ground too with the show’s Techno Zone® and Inspire Stage. These ground activities and exhibits support RIAT’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, and its ambition to inspire the next generation of aviators.

“On the showground we also have the Techno Zone and Inspire Stage, which are full of interactive exhibits and speakers,” he added.

“As an event we are focussed on encouraging young people to interact with STEM and aviation and both areas are hugely important to that.

“Under 18s continue to be able to attend the show free of charge and we would love to see more young people join us at RAF Fairford next month.”

To buy tickets for this year’s event visit www.AirTattoo.com.