RIAT 2020 Cancelled

[Flightech]

Today we can announce that Austria will return to the Air Tattoo this year with a C-130K Hercules on static display.

Mike

All the exciting stuff usually comes later on in the spring. On the bright side polish f16, Belgian f16 have self confirmed but yet to be announced by RIAT.

I wonder if the US air force or navy have any flying stuff this year, everything on their flying display lists seems to exclude RIAT

[jasonT1981]

Czech Republic have declined the invitation this year.

[James Cutting]

That's intriguing and a surprise...

[Boneyard1]

Yes especially as they are attending Yeovilton Air Day!

[Campbell89]

Was looking forward to the Hind being announced

[thevulcan]

Perhaps the Czech air Force could only attend one RIAT for the next two years and so they chose to attend next year due to the theme?

[James Cutting]

Potentially, hopefully 2021 is a big one with it being the 50th RIAT! Some promising news on the site too:

At last week's European Airshow Council Convention our delegation met with a number of Air Arm representatives who spoke positively of their experiences at last year's show. Everyone stated their Air Forces are always keen to return to Fairford but sometimes budgets & operational commitments do not allow annual participation, which we appreciate.

We had detailed discussions with the Belgian Air Force about their planned support to the event, and the details of which aircraft they will send should be confirmed next month once approved by their Air Component Commander. We also discussed the importance of RIAT 2021 (the Air Tattoo's 50th Anniversary) with many of the representatives.

[Mike]

Next year isn't the 50th RIAT, it's the 50th anniversary of the first Air Tattoo (there wasn't one every year).

[James Cutting]

Course it is, cheers Mike, misread it

Need another coffee...

[Boneyard1]

Czechs also attending Duxfords Air Festival in May!

[James Cutting]

But only an Alca and a Gripen.

[Boneyard1]

Yes indeed! Fingers crossed I I'll see them perform! Duxford on the door step!

[James Cutting]

USAF A-10 Demo team in Canada 18-19th July

[MRTT]

https://www.airtattoo.com/files/headeri ... sunday.pdf

Showground map released.

[raptor76]

There is no pit area in red section anymore it has been moved to the green end, so there is no pit walk on the Friday anymore.

[Headancer]

I think its pretty much nailed on that RIAT will be cancelled given what's happening in other countries regarding large gathering etc.

Personally i cannot envisage a situation where Germany Spain Italy etc send aircrews to the show.

Even thought 90% is open air there are various choke point re queues, marquees etc.

It also throws up a number of issues going forward.

The trustees of the Charitable Enterprises pay salaried staff those staff also cover concerts etc which will also be cancelled, with no income one wonders whether we can actually retain the Infrastructure and pay staff to effectivly do nothing for another 18 months. Will they be kept on. I doubt it.

There will inevitably also be the question of refunds. Whilst I might be happy to simply use my ticket money as a donation others may be less interested. What happens there and also to sponsor/advertising monies.

Thoughts ?

[bizfreeq]

I think it's far too early to call it's cancellation 'nailed on'! By July the world will be a very different place....... whether that's for the better or worse remains to be seen.

[James Cutting]

Second Bizfreeq's comment.

It's too early to say. I would say it is possible, as a lot of the advice is social distancing and not attending large gatherings like this. But who knows

[tm74sqn]

Hopefully there will be some sort of insurance in place, but . . . . ?

[Zonan]

I will only srart worrying when DBH announces there is a probability of the show being cancelled. Currently we are 4 months away, so who knows what will happen to the corona virus, I really don't see them announcing the show to be cancelled 4 months in advance. Let's just wait it out.

No doubt the show will be less busy and may see more cancelled countries than usual, but I don't think the show is going to be cancelled, but as I (and others) said, we can't say at this moment...