RIAT 2024: Everything you need to know
The three day air show will be held at RAF Fairford this weekend.
Last updated 19th Jul 2024
The Royal International Air Tattoo will be held at RAF Fairford from Friday 19th July to Sunday 21st July. The annual event attracts around 150,000 people and hosts more than 250 aircraft.
The world's largest military air show will be boasting crowd-pleasing air displays from world-class acts, including the Red Arrows. The nine-ship display team will be celebrating their 60th anniversary at RAF Fairford with a specially designed routine.
But that is not the only anniversary. 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.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian Yellow Sparrow display team will be attending, the first time the display team have performed in the UK. Whilst the Royal Moroccan Air Force are returning to the show for the first time since 1995.
Despite being renowned for its aerial displays, there is still plenty to see on the ground at this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
On the ground, there are hundreds of aircraft to view ranging from huge tankers down to the cutting edge of aviation in electric aircraft.
In addition to the static display, there is the show’s Techno Zone and Inspire Stage. The Inspire Stage is where young people can listen to industry leaders about their experiences in aviation.
Run by RIAT’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, it aims to encourage young people to consider careers in aerospace.
This year, youngsters will be able to learn about the work of the British Antarctic Survey, meet the Red Arrows and hear how Dr Meganne Christian went from being a scientist to a Reserve Astronaut for the European Space Agency.
Meanwhile, the Techno Zone is an area bustling with activity.
Divided into four areas, Space, Foundations of Engineering, Come and Play and Cyber and Virtual Reality, the STEM hub, which is bigger than 12 tennis courts, has almost 40 exhibits for people to explore.
The theme of this year's event is ‘Pushing the Boundaries in Air and Space’ in recognition of 100 years of military aviation Test and Evaluation flying.