The Royal International Air Tattoo has been cancelled for 2026 following uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford linked to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, the event’s organisers have announced.
The statement, published on the RIAT website, said the decision followed extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force regarding access to the Gloucestershire base, which serves as the event’s home. USAF units based at RAF Fairford have been heavily involved in operations linked to the Middle East crisis, with the base used to support long-range strike missions in the region.
Gavin Gager, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, said the decision had not been taken lightly. “We know how much RIAT means to everyone, and recognise how disappointing this news will be. It is a disappointment we feel just as strongly. We would like to thank everyone for their support, loyalty, and understanding. Looking ahead, we look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2027, and to making sure RIAT comes back stronger than ever.”
Ticket holders will be offered the choice to roll their tickets over to RIAT 2027, receive a full refund, or donate the cost of their tickets to the RAF Charitable Trust.
RIAT is the world’s largest military airshow, typically drawing around 150,000 visitors over its annual summer weekend at Fairford. The event raises funds for the RAF Charitable Trust and has been held annually since 1971, with cancellations rare and previously limited to exceptional circumstances including the foot and mouth outbreak in 2001 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Well that’s a fucking bore… Wonder what the Govt’s response to this will be, since it’s not a small event and the amount of business lost for many smaller places will be quite bad.
They have already won…. It will be over soon….or something of that nature *add other Trumpism for effect*
He’s gotten bored with Iran, moving on to Cuba now. He’s obsessed with adding another star to the US flag for the 250th.
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Shame. But not surprising. Been going for years.Still a great show. You can get a full refund or carry it over to 2027.
You’re assuming
(a) the conflict with Iran will be over by then
(b) that Trump won’t have started bombing somewhere else instead (eg Cuba, Denmark, Canada, Vatican City, etc…)
If it looks like it will drag on into next year the organisers will look at alternative locations. They did for this year, but being within 6 months of the show it wasn’t possible.
You think there might be other locations available that won’t be involved with the other new wars that will probably appear over the next year?…
They can also look at possible civilian airfields if need be. We also have RAF station that are not active frontline stations. RAF Leeming for example or Wittering. I’m sure RIAT will be back at Fairford though.
Ty, MAGA !
Is there no chance of finding an alternative venue?
I haven’t been since 2016, used to go and get ‘the best’ air display at Ryams farm field alongside the runway.
Went fir years, with the display right over your head, a hell of a lot cheaper too!
That’s now gone, as have all the aircraft I used to love seeing. It’s a tad boring now, fir anyway.
To be fair I’m spoiled, I saw all the good stuff from 89 onwards…
Have to agree with John, aircraft are so samey these days that’s it’s a little dull compared with the glory days of my youth (!) Multiple Typhoon, Gripen, F-16 displays each year now and rarely anything new or unusual. (The French Atlantique last year was a welcome exception). I first went when it was ATI at Boscombe Down in ’92, also saw the MiGs collide in 1993. Been most years since, and despite the expense its special because it’s usually the only day in the year I can get all three of my stepsons together. So I’m rather miffed that it’s cancelled, and frankly appalled that an alternative venue wasn’t lined up as soon as the Iranian nonsense kicked off in February. In a country like this, is there really no other place we could put on an airshow of this size? Bloody embarrassing.
Ha, I’m so glad I’m old !
Lightnings, Hunters, Viggans, Shackletons, Gnat’s red arrows, F4’s, Buccaneers, Gannett’s, Vulcans, and so much more.
RAF Chivenor was one we used to drive to as well as the few bigger venues.
Ah the Lightning, my life long love affair with the manned rocket started when I saw the old LTF ( Lightning Training Flight) F3, take off, go vertical and blow a hole though the low overcast, while the twin Avon roar made your eyeballs rattle and your very soul shake!!
Stood by the runways edge, right at the rotation point, it made the hairs on the back of your neck stand up…
Wonderful memories….
RIAT cancelled, two formula 1 races cancelled….. thanks Trump.
Symptomatic of this shit show of a ‘government’. They cant guarantee protection against seditious subversives ,on the world stage. Absolutely pathetic.
Oh get a grip. Nothing to do with this being an operational US airforce base then? If you some someone to blame have a look at the baffoon on the the other side of the Atlantic.
💯👍🏻
I’ve never heard Trump called a “seditious subversive” before…