This year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) has been canceled due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. Organisers of Britain's largest airshow described the cancellation as 'not an easy decision,' reached after consultations with the United States Air Force (USAF) regarding uncertain access to RAF Fairford.
Earlier this year, dozens of US bombers arrived at RAF Fairford, which the American military is using as a base for operations in the conflict with Iran. The airshow in Gloucestershire, scheduled for July, has a history spanning over 50 years and typically attracts more than 170,000 attendees.
In a statement, airshow organisers said: 'This has not been an easy decision. It follows extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force regarding uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford, given the ongoing situation in the Middle East.'
Ticket holders have the option to use their tickets for next year's event, receive a full refund, or donate the cost to the RAF Charitable Trust. The USAF has continued using B-52 and B-2 bombers based at RAF Fairford to strike targets in Iran during the ongoing conflict, which saw the country's supreme leader killed on February 28, 2026.
A two-week ceasefire deal was reached in April and later extended, but failed negotiations have reignited speculation that strikes may resume. RAF Fairford, usually an underused airfield, requires around two months of preparation for the airshow. Due to the ongoing war and the possibility of continued combat operations in the coming weeks, the base cannot host the event.
Last year, approximately 200 military aircraft from 27 different countries participated in the show. Gavin Gager, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, expressed disappointment: '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.'
