UK Airshow News – Page 5

Another Stellar Air Show Comes to Bedford

Shuttleworth Comet — *Photo by Nick Blacow*

Saturday 26 July will see yet another spectacular air show at Shuttleworth (Old Warden) Aerodrome near Biggleswade, Bedford. The Summer Air Show promises fantastic family entertainment and a stellar line up of aircraft for Shuttleworth’s latest display.

From 9am to 9pm, the site at Shuttleworth will come to life with a huge range of free ground attractions around the star attraction – two incredible flying displays at 2pm and 7.30pm. From a fun fair to vintage bus rides, a vehicle parade to an interview with a pilot, and interactive Discovery Zones with exciting educational activities for budding pilots and engineers, there’s enough to keep the whole family entertained from dawn until dusk. And best of all… these activities are included in the price of your ticket.

Looking to the skies, the flying displays will offer a chance to see some truly remarkable aircraft as close as you can get in the UK. With an unparalleled flightline view, Shuttleworth’s Summer Air Show sees the return of the Nieuport 23 (which made its UK debut at the venue’s Festival of Flight last month) and a full display from the audience favourite Avro Lancaster. The Canadair F-86 Sabre will appear for the first time at Shuttleworth along with a return visit from the RAF Eurofighter Typhoon. Two visiting spitfires are also on the bill, as well as the Shuttleworth Collection’s own genuine Mk Vc Spitfire – just one of the Collection’s airworthy aircraft appearing. Then, for something a little different, visitors can enjoy the Jet Pitts: a classic piston engine propellor aircraft enhanced with two jet turbines on either side of the fuselage – making for a fun and unique display. Be sure to check out the full line up online.

Shuttleworth’s new split flying display format also offers visitors a much greater chance of seeing the Collection’s airworthy Edwardian aircraft. Dating back as far as 1909, these aircraft need very specific weather conditions to make an appearance. Last year, only one was seen throughout the entire season. So far, the new split flying displays for 2025 have already seen all five aircraft appear – and an Edwardian aircraft has appeared at two out of the three shows to date this season.

If you’re looking for something extra special, visitors can book flightline tours where you can step foot on the airfield itself, getting within touching distance of the aircraft. Various operators also offer flight experiences at an additional charge.

The Summer Air Show takes place almost a month to the day after Shuttleworth’s biggest show of the season, Festival of Flight, which saw record-breaking attendance back in June.

Marc Boult, Head of Visitor Operations, said, “Following the overwhelming success of Festival of Flight last month we’re excited to being yet another air show to audiences this summer. For the enthusiast, there are plenty of incredible displays to enjoy and for families, we’ve got a brilliant range of entertainment to keep you busy for the entire day! If you’ve not been to a Shuttleworth air show, I’d recommend this one as the perfect introduction to what we do.”

Shuttleworth’s Summer Air Show takes place on Saturday 26 July. Tickets start from £36.00 and children go free. You can book yours via www.shuttleworth.org

Don’t miss the incredible USAF aircraft lineup!

With it being US Independence Day tomorrow we are pleased to unveil a plethora of aircraft from the United States Air Force.

Starting with our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’, we are delighted to confirm there will be two U-2 aircraft on display, with one taking part in the flying programme on both Saturday and Sunday, while the second will feature on static alongside a RC-135 Rivet Joint.

Also joining us this year, and for the first time in over a decade will be the huge C-5 Galaxy, the largest aircraft in the USAF inventory! Other assets from the Americans include B-1B Lancer, which we’ve not seen since 2017, plus their C-21A, F-35A, KC-46A, KC-135R and MC-130J. In addition to the USAF aircraft this week, we can also confirm that the Italian Army will be in attendance at RIAT25, with their UH-169B helicopter on static display. Plus, aircraft from Gulfstream and Pilatus as part of our commercial showcases.

View Confirmed Aircraft

New for RIAT25 is the RIAT app. Available now on the Apple iOS and Google Play stores!

Download the app before you come to the show (signal on an airfield can be intermittent). The app will be updated with new content once the show starts, so make sure you go into the app again before you come to the showground. Click here to find out more about what’s on the app.

With barely two weeks to go until the show, tickets are flying and if you’re planning to join us for the world’s greatest airshow, this is your last chance. There are still some Sunday general admission tickets left, but be quick, this won’t be for long.

Friday:

Only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package. We still have spaces in Altitude, Aviation Club, First Class Lounge, Cotswold Club, Flight Deck, Viewing Village Garden and Viewing Village Grandstand. So, something for everyone.

Saturday:

Only way in now for Saturday is with an Altitude upgrade package. Altitude is located at the heart of the showground and offers a great base to explore the whole RIAT experience from. With cool upper deck viewing spaces and a cool contemporary vibe. The all-inclusive cocktail bar and complimentary food served throughout the day, will make this an experience to remember. Don’t miss out on Saturday at RIAT.

FRIAT: Or if you’re looking for a completely immersive experience, why not book a FRIAT six-day package ticket? Offering a variety of benefits for those who want to see more of the airshow. FRIAT is excellent value, offering the opportunity to see fast jets, aerobatic display teams, historic warbirds, heavy transporters or helicopters alongside other dedicated aviation enthusiasts. But with only just over 100 FRIAT tickets left, you’ll have to be quick!

Book Tickets HERE

Final June aircraft update you won’t want to miss!

For our final update of June, we have a pair of additions to this year’s flying programme, plus a cluster of civilian aircraft on static display.

Next month SAAB will be returning to RAF Fairford with their Gripen E taking to the skies across Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Back in 2023, the display came away with the Paul Bowen Trophy for Best Solo Jet Demonstration, so we are excited to see what they have planned this summer.

Elsewhere, we are set to welcome the world’s only airworthy FIAT G.91 to Gloucestershire, which will help us celebrate the past, present and future of the Italian Air Force as their iconic display team, Frecce Tricolori, marks their 65th anniversary this year. Further strengthening our Italian contingent, we have two Aermacchi MB-326 aircraft to join the static display.

Rounding off this week, we have more aircraft on the ground as part of our ‘Eyes in the Skies’ theme, including two King Airs from Flight Precision Ltd and Metrea – who are also bringing their new Dash 8 Fireswift. More aircraft to bolster the static lineup include a CASA C-295M from the Spanish Air and Space Force, a privately owned IAR-823, and Twin Otter from De Havilland Canada.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Our special offer on the Altitude enclosure upgrade package ends at midnight on Sunday 29th June. Normal price Friday £200, special offer price just £175. Normal price Saturday and Sunday £225, special offer price just £200. Don’t miss out on this fantastic offer and experience the show from our coolest and newest offering, with delectable food, refreshing drinks and cocktails, all included! As well as live DJ music once the flying display is finished. Buy your tickets today.

Book Tickets HERE

Only four weeks to go

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome a new nation to this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo! Making their debut appearance, the Egyptian Air Force becomes our 59th participating nation and will be bringing their Antonov An-74T Coaler to join the static display.

We’re also excited to confirm several new additions to our static lineup. The Royal Netherlands Air Force will also be attending with a pair of Chinooks, while the Spanish Air and Space Force will contribute another C.16 Tifón. From the Army Air Corps, we’re adding a fourth AH-64E Apache to the static display, alongside a Wildcat AH.1.

We’re delighted to welcome the new Army Air Corps Display Team with two Apache’s and a Wildcat to perform in the flying display, accompanied by pyrotechnics. This will be exclusive to the Friday of RIAT.

In a change to the lineup, the Whirlwind is unfortunately unable to attend. However, we’re pleased to announce that Historic Helicopters will instead be bringing their Sea King HAR.3 for the static display. Further additions include an RAF F-35B Lightning II, which will be on static display, along with a King Air 350 and a Leonardo AW139 from QinetiQ. With less than one month to go until this year’s Air Tattoo, the excitement is building fast – and there are still plenty more aircraft announcements to come in the weeks ahead!

View Confirmed Aircraft

Time is running out to secure your spot at RIAT25, with Friday and Saturday general admission sold out! Sunday is now hot on its heels. The only way in now for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package and for Saturday is with an Altitude upgrade package. Altitude is our newest enclosure and it’s currently on special offer. Normal price Friday £200, special offer price just £175. Normal price Saturday and Sunday £225, special offer price just £200. We know how disappointed you’ll be if you don’t buy your tickets now and miss out on all the fun. Consider this a friendly reminder, buy your tickets today, before Sunday sells out too. And be a part of the world’s greatest airshow.

Book Tickets HERE

Unveiling more spectacular aircraft for RIAT25!

It’s less than five weeks until we start welcoming aircraft to RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo and we still have participants to reveal!

This week we have another addition to the flying display with the ever-popular RAF Chinook performing a role demo over the weekend, plus a pair of Typhoons and a Poseidon to further bolster this year’s static line-up as we explore our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’.

Elsewhere, we are excited to announce the US Army are heading back to Gloucestershire for the first time in a decade with their AH-64E Apache Guardian on static display, meanwhile, sticking with helicopters, the Royal Navy are also providing a Wildcat HMA.2.

Rounding off this week and as part of our 40 years at Fairford, we’re pleased to welcome an Auster AOP.9 and Bell Sioux AH.1 on static display, as well as a pair of Jet Provosts. To view every aircraft confirmed for RIAT25 so far visit our website.

View Confirmed Aircraft

Friday and Saturday general admission has now completely sold out. The only way in for Friday is with an enclosure upgrade package and for Saturday is with an Altitude enclosure upgrade package.

Book Tickets HERE

French Navy’s Atlantique joins the lineup!

It’s not long until aircraft will start touching down at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, and we are still adding to this year’s flying programme!

This week, we are delighted to confirm that the French Navy will be providing their Atlantique, which we are sure many of you will consider a highlight for this year.

We’ve also got aircraft to bolster our theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’ as we prepare to welcome the Royal Canadian Air Force with their CP-140M Aurora, Italian Coastguard with their ATR 42 and HM Coastguard Sikorsky S-92A. Rounding off this week, we are pleased to announce the Grob 520 Ergrett and Grob 120TP, as well as an Envoy IV from the Royal Air Force, all on static display.

View Confirmed Aircraft

We are still selling tickets for this year’s show at a rapid rate and while Saturday general admission has sold out, you can still secure a spot by giving our new enclosure Altitude a try!

Enjoy an all-inclusive cocktail bar with selected drinks, upper deck viewing space that will give you a unique view of the show and an exclusive DJ music set in the enclosure, once the flying display has concluded.

With Saturday selling out, Friday and Sunday aren’t too far behind, so if you are planning on joining us this year, you’ve got to act fast! We’ve got aircraft from all around the world, hours of flying displays and plenty to keep you occupied on the ground with our Techno Zone ®, Inspire Stage and static line-up so book now to avoid missing out.

Book Tickets HERE

Back By Popular Demand: Shuttleworth’s Festival of Flight

Following the huge success of 2024, Shuttleworth’s Festival of Flight Air Show returns by popular demand for its second year. On Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June, the venue’s biggest air show will see a total of four flying displays, a visit from the Red Arrows, and the largest amount of ground attractions ever seen at Old Warden aerodrome, near Biggleswade.

Shuttleworth is the closest you can get to the flying action in the UK, with an unparalleled flightline that makes for a truly spectacular air display experience. The Festival will feature a stellar line up of top-class visiting display aircraft, including, but not limited to: the Red Arrows, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Avro Lancaster, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Nieuport 23 and Fokker D.XXI (which will both be making their UK debuts). All of the Shuttleworth Collection’s own airworthy aircraft available this season will also take to the skies across the weekend – if the conditions are right, this will include the Collection’s Edwardian aircraft, featuring the World’s oldest airworthy aircraft, the 1909 Blériot XI.

Outside of the flying displays, the Festival also has the largest amount of ground attractions of any of Shuttleworth’s events. The Tigers Children’s Motorcycle Team and Fusion Extreme Stunt Show will wow audiences with their adrenaline-fuelled tricks. Then, there are countless interactive attractions from simulators to a working anti-aircraft exhibit, circus skills workshops, pedal planes to fly and mini landers to drive. Visitors can enjoy Shuttleworth staples from the educational activities in various Discovery Zones, to the chance to hop aboard a vintage bus and to see working steam and heritage exhibits from Clayton & Shuttleworth Ltd. Shuttleworth House, the site’s Grade II listed Victorian mansion will be open with displays and tours, and – for those seeking a moment of calm – the 9-acre Swiss Graden is the perfect place to explore in the shade, complete with resident peacocks. Better still, all of these activities and attractions are included in the price of a ticket – offering a full day’s entertainment for fantastic value.

To enhance a visit even further, visitors can prebook marquee ‘pods’ to decorate and use as a base for the day – a wonderful way to come together with friends and family for a celebration or get together. Guests can also step onto the airfield and get within touching distance of these amazing aircraft with flightline tours – but you’ll need to be quick as these sell out fast.

Shuttleworth boasts a beautiful camping area, letting guests turn their flying visit into an unforgettable stay. You can make the weekend of it for just £20 per pitch per night and enjoy additional entertainment at Shuttleworth House.

Marc Boult, Head of Visitor Operations at Shuttleworth, said, “Our Festival of Flight Air Show is the jewel in the crown of our air show season. This is the big one, where we super-charge every element of the event, from the flying to the ground entertainment. We hope to see lots of families joining us for a fantastic day out, inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. If you’ve yet to experience an air show at Shuttleworth, then Festival of Flight is definitely the way to do it.”

Festival of Flight takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June with tickets starting from £39 (children go free). Already in high demand, the Festival looks on track to break sales records at Shuttleworth.

www.shuttleworth.org

RIAT Saturday sells out in record speed

Tickets for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo are flying with Saturday selling out earlier than ever before.

To date, the event has sold over 130,000 tickets to this year’s show, which will see hundreds of aircraft from all over the world descend on RAF Fairford for the three-day aviation showcase which is set to take place on Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July.

With a theme of Eyes in the Skies, highlighting the vital role aviation plays across domains of aerial surveying, airborne early warning, maritime patrol, search and rescue, reconnaissance, signals intelligence and surveillance. This summer also marks 40 years since Air Tattoo first touched down at RAF Fairford with a heritage centre also due to be installed on the showground.

So far, in addition to hoards of visitors, the event has had confirmation of over 200 aircraft ranging from the RAF’s iconic display team, the Red Arrows, more unusual aircraft relating to the theme, plus crowd favourites such as the Spanish Harrier.

Paul Atherton, Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, said: “Demand for our event has been incredible since we came back from COVID and we are always grateful for the support we receive, from visitors, international air forces and our volunteers.

“This year’s event is set to be another brilliant show with aircraft from all over the world and their crews which will be on hand to talk to visitors about their airframes and their careers in aviation.

“For anyone who is still hoping to join us this year, I’d encourage you to act fast as tickets are selling extremely quickly and once they’re gone, they’re gone!”

Profits generated by the Royal International Air Tattoo fuel the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, which aims to inspire young people into careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

In addition to the awe-inspiring displays in the air, there is plenty for people to explore on the ground with an extensive static display, the Techno Zone® where people can get hands-on with the latest tech exhibits in air and space, plus the Inspire Stage which is run by the charity and features speakers from aviation and tech.

Dr Kevin Stenson, Director, Royal Air Force Charitable Trust said: “The popularity of RIAT is hugely important for our charity as we continue to spark the imagination of young people.

“RIAT as a whole is an incredible showcase of the possibilities in aviation and space, and the Inspire Stage is a key part of it. This year’s Stage will include live lessons, pilots, astronauts, Everest climbers, TV presenters, Minecraft. a robot dog and more.”

www.airtattoo.com

It’s almost here! Check out this week’s thrilling aircraft additions

There are less than two months to go until the first aircraft touches down at RAF Fairford for this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo!

Meanwhile, Take Off Thursday continues and this week we are pleased to announce some assets from the Qatar Emiri Air Force that will further bolster our static line-up.

They’ll be bringing an AH-64E Apache Guardian as we celebrate 50 years of Apache, plus a C-17 Globemaster, Hawk and a Typhoon.

From further afield and visiting for the first time in almost 10 years, we have the Royal New Zealand Air Force and their Boeing 757-2K2 – their last trip to Gloucestershire came back in 2016.

Finally, we’re rounding off the week with Royal Air Force training aircraft to the static line up this week with the Prefect, Tutor and Hawk. More to come from the Royal Air Force in the next few weeks… To view every aircraft confirmed for RIAT25 so far, click the link below.

View Confirmed Aircraft

If you’re looking for a more intense experience then why not treat yourself to one of our FRIAT six-day packages. They’re fantastic value, with amazing benefits including:

Park & View entry on Wednesday
Thursday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Friday to Sunday general admission to the showground and access to the FRIAT enclosure
Monday, choice of Park & View or FRIAT enclosure
Allocated grandstand seat and access to the exclusive FRIAT enclosure
Free official souvenir programme

Plus, the opportunity to meet other like-minded aircraft enthusiasts who love RIAT.

Book Tickets HERE

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.

View Confirmed Aircraft

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