RIAT 2026 cancelled amid Middle East conflict

5 hours ago

Dawn LimbuWest of England

News image — The event in the Cotswolds attracts aircraft enthusiasts from far and wide

PA Media A photo of this year's Royal International Air Tattoo, showing a huge crowd of people walking around the grounds as large aircraft loom behind them — The event in the Cotswolds attracts aircraft enthusiasts from far and wide

This year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, organisers have confirmed.

The air show at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire has been going for more than 50 years, and can attract an attendance of more than 170,000 people.

Organisers said cancelling the event was "not an easy decision" and came after discussions with the United States Air Force regarding uncertainty over the access to RAF Fairford, given the ongoing situation in Iran.

Those who have purchased a ticket will have a choice to receive a refund, use their tickets next year, or donate the cost to the RAF Charitable Trust.

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Gavin Gager, chief executive of Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCT), said the event will return in 2027.

He said it was a "really big and difficult decision" to cancel the world's biggest military air show.

"It's just a phenomenal disappointment that I share with everybody that comes to RIAT because it's that annual legacy of going there and making memories," Gager - for whom the 2026 event would have been his first as chief executive - said.

"The summer won't be the same without it."

The recent conflict has seen the United States and Israel launch attacks on Iran, killing the country's supreme leader on 28 February 2026.

Both countries have said Iran is continuing to develop nuclear weapons, and poses a threat to security in the region.

The United States and Iran have continued to negotiate over a peace deal since a temporary ceasefire was agreed last month.

PA Media Two red Royal Air Force planes fly through the sky. The plane on the bottom shoots out red smoke to the left, while the plane on the top shoots out blue smoke to the right. — This year's event was due to be held from 17-19 July

RIAT is a not-for-profit event and all profits are donated to the RAFCT.

Gager asked those who were due to be attending the event, which would have taken place from 17 to 19 July, to "bear with us for the next week whilst we put systems in place".

Ticket holders are being offered a rollover to 2027, a refund, or the option to donate the value of their ticket to the RAFCT.

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