The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) continues to play a transformative role in widening opportunities for young people across the UK, with its success directly powering the impact of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT).
As a not-for-profit event, RIAT generates the funds that enable the RAFCT to deliver an expanding portfolio of STEM education and skills programmes for young people broadly aged 5–25 across the UK. This has allowed the charity to surpass its ambitious goal of inspiring 500,000 young people by 2026 – achieving over 750,000 engagements more than a year early and now exceeding 780,000.
By attending RIAT, the public, industry partners and international air and space communities contribute directly to this growing national impact. The 2025 show alone welcomed more than 178,500 visitors, offering not only world-class aviation displays but also hands-on STEM experiences through the Techno Zone® and Inspire Stage. Here, young people met leading figures such as astronaut Tim Peake and explored cutting-edge aerospace technology, helping to spark curiosity and confidence in air, space, engineering, and technology.
The event’s success has strengthened the RAFCT’s ability to invest in new educational initiatives. Its latest partnership with Mathematics in Education and Industry (MEI) marks the charity’s first significant foray into supporting further education students through mathematics. By backing the Further Education Maths Challenge – a national programme involving over 80 colleges and 40,000 learners – the Trust is helping 16–19-year-olds build vital numeracy, problem-solving and teamwork skills. For many participants, the challenge provides a pathway to renewed confidence in maths and improved future career prospects.
Across all its programmes – from primary-school STEM engagement to national digital-safety partnerships – FE maths and flying and engineering scholarships, the Trust ensures that RIAT’s impact extends far beyond the airshow weekend. Attendance at the event directly fuels opportunities for increasing numbers and diversity of young people to explore how science, technology and aviation shape the world, helping them gain the essential skills, inspiration and self-belief to fulfil their potential. In turn, this collective effort supports the UK’s acute need for the next generation of STEM innovators, engineers and aviators.
Have you got your tickets yet?
We’re thrilled to share that excitement for RIAT26 is already soaring – and so are ticket sales! With thousands of aviation fans securing their spots early, this year’s show is shaping up to be another spectacular one.
If RIAT is on your must-attend list for 2026, now’s the perfect time to book. From breathtaking aerial displays to interactive experiences, RIAT26 promises a weekend you won’t want to miss.
Lock in your tickets today to make sure you get the best availability and pricing. Once they’re gone, they’re gone and we’d hate for you to miss out on the action.
We can’t wait to welcome you to RIAT26!
