More F-16s this week, with a pair of Block 52+ jets from Greece coming to RIAT24 on static display!

Not only will this be a first time visit from the squadron with these aircraft, but their striking ‘Aegean Blue’ colour scheme will make them a stand-out on our ‘Viper Line’ static display.

We also have an air defence variant of the Mirage 2000, which we haven’t seen at RIAT for many years, coming for static display as part of our North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) 75th anniversary theme.

Elsewhere, tying in with our ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ theme, we have a British Aerospace 146, uniquely modified as an airborne laboratory, which is visiting RAF Fairford for the first time in over a decade.

Operating since 2004, the FAAM flying laboratory is a specially adapted research aircraft managed by a unique team of scientists, engineers, flight technicians and project managers providing a complete package of support for the scientific community. This jet has visited over 30 different countries and carries up to four tonnes of equipment in addition to 18 scientists.

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• Last year 150,000 people visited the event based at RAF Fairford
• Less than 10,000 tickets remaining for Saturday 20th July 2024
• Over 80 aircraft already confirmed for this summer’s show with weekly additions
• Free admission for those under 18-years-old

Interest in this summer’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has reached record levels with the show on track for its earliest ever sell-out.

The event, which is taking place from Friday 19th to Sunday 21st July, is the world’s largest military airshow with over 250 aircraft involved in last year’s event.

So far there have been 86 aircraft unveiled to take part in this year’s event, including international display teams, large transport aircraft and a variety of helicopters.

Every week new aircraft are added to the line-up as the show celebrates 50-years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, 100-years of the Royal Canadian Air Force, and 75-years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

In 2023, organisers announced Saturday had sold out in early June but with unprecedented interest ahead of this summer, organisers are thrilled with levels of interest.

All proceeds from RIAT are donated to the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, a forward-looking charity aiming to inspire the next generation of aviators, which received almost £2m from last year’s aviation showcase.

Chief Executive Officer for Royal Air Force Charitable Enterprises, Paul Atherton said: “RIAT is a world-renowned event which takes place in the heart of the Cotswolds and we are proud to deliver it every year.
“Not only do visitors come from all over the country, they travel from across the globe to see what we put together at RAF Fairford.

“The support for this year has been incredible and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone in the summer.”

With an operational theme of ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’, this year’s RIAT gives people the opportunity to get up close and see aircraft they’d never normally have access to.

One example is the British Antarctic Survey’s Twin Otter aircraft, which usually operates in the polar regions collecting scientific data and will be on static display this summer.

“This year’s theme means we are expecting some unique aircraft which operate in unique areas and it really demonstrates the role of aviation, whether that is in defence, transport or scientific work,” added Paul.

“If you haven’t been to the event before, or are starting to make plans for the summer then we are an event that accommodates for everyone.”

Tickets are available via www.AirTattoo.com.

This week we are unveiling assets from the Turkish Air Force, Belgian Air Force and Draken Europe to join the RIAT24 line-up.

A highlight for aviation enthusiasts will be the participation of a pair McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II on static display, coming from the Turkish Air Force as part of our NATO 75th anniversary theme. In addition, for the first time in six years, the Turkish Air Force will be sending their SOLOTÜRK demo, with their Lockheed Martin F-16C Fighting Falcon, to perform in the flying display.

Joining them in our celebration of the F-16’s 50th anniversary, we have a further F-16 to join the ‘Viper Line’ on static display, with a F-16AM courtesy of the Belgian Air Component.

Finally, a further two civilian aircraft for static display, with a L-159 Honey Badger and a Falcon 20, both coming from Draken Europe.

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This week we’re pleased to announce the return of two popular favourites for the flying display at RIAT24, in the form of the SAAB JAS-39C Gripen of the Hungarian Air Force and the Royal Jordanian Falcons display team.

In addition, as part of our theme celebrating 50 years of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, we’re very excited that the Royal Jordanian Air Force will be sending us a pair of their jets to RIAT for the first time, with one F-16AM and one F-16BM. They’ll also be sending a C-130H Hercules to accompany them on static display.

Finally, the Qatar Emiri Air Force will be showing two of their BAE Systems manufactured aircraft on static display, with a Typhoon and Hawk, in addition to their NH90 helicopter and the large Boeing C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft.

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In what is their only planned UK appearance this year, we are delighted to announce Switzerland’s elite Patrouille Suisse display team are heading to RAF Fairford with their colourful F-5E Tiger II jets this summer.

Also participating in the flying display, a first-time attendee in the shape of the German Air Force’s Eurofighter solo display. Furthermore, also from Germany, we also have an Airbus A400M in a solo flying display, in what will be an eye-catching display of this large transport aircraft.

On the ground, under our operational theme of Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space, we’re very excited to be welcoming a Panavia Tornado from the German Air Force’s special Flight Test unit, WTD 61. Other German aircraft on static display include their unique A319 ‘Open Skies’ jet, mighty CH-53 helicopter and another Tornado.

Celebrating 75 years of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), we have one of their Boeing E-3A Sentry aircraft attending, performing a flypast on Friday and then on static display over the weekend.

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Aircraft celebrating Slovenia and Canada make up this week’s announcement with debutants and an award-winning display heading to RAF Fairford.

A pair of Pilatus PC-9Ms will be joining us this summer, which includes demo pilot Lt Fiorelli’s popular display which won Best International Flying Demonstration at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in 2017 and 2015, with the second aircraft on static. Sticking with the static line-up the Slovenians are also providing their C-27J Spartan, which is a first-time visitor to RAF Fairford.

Ahead of their 100th anniversary on Monday we have also announced some aircraft in recognition of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s centenary.

In special liveries, we have a De Havilland Vampire FB.52 and a Canada Chipmunk both on static from the Norwegian Air Force Historical Squadron and Shuttleworth Collection respectively.

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The Swedish Air Force will return to RIAT with their SAAB JAS-39C Gripen to perform in the flying display, and in addition they’ll bring a JAS-39D Gripen for the static display.

Another returning aircraft will be the NH90 TTH of the German Army, appearing in both the flying and static displays, as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme. Their NH90 has been a popular display item for the last two years with it’s attractive camofluage livery, so we’re pleased to be welcoming them back to RAF Fairford this summer.

A rare addition to the static displays comes in the form of a Bréguet Alizé. Now operated in civilian hands, the type flew with the French Navy for many years in the anti-submarine warfare role. This will be the first time we’ve seen an Alizé at RIAT in over 20 years, and the plan is that the aircraft will arrive on Friday afternoon, then be on static display over the weekend as part of our NATO 75th Anniversary theme.

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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

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

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.

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