RIAT 2020 Cancelled

[peasus911]

I would hope that DBH post a statement in the coming week to explain their stance on the current situation.
Shuttleworth have done precisely that today. I am fully aware this is not RIAT's fault but with the amount of people scratching their heads at the moment it would seem the sensible thing to do.
Previous post today alone indicate the fine line between cancelling the show before the June deadline for people to have the option to get some of their ticket money back.
The next two weeks will be full of government updates so we will know more then I suppose.
The sheer size of the show and international participation removes the option for a date later in the year so we just have to wait and see what transpires over the next few weeks.

[Droptank]

Hi Peasus.

Slightly off-topic I appreciate but where did you see the Shuttleworth statement relating to Coronovirus?

Droptank.

[peasus911]

Hi Droptank.
was a thread on facebook. the gist was that they fully intended to have a full diary of events but would obviously be taking guidance form Government information.
I currently have advanced bookings secured for Duxford, Yeovilton and RIAT so am scanning all show sites to see if I can gain any information.
Our health and welfare is paramount but I would obviously like to be given then chance to recoup some of my money back should shows be cancelled as it looks like I am going to need it.
Sorry if this is off subject.

[Droptank]

Thanks Peasus, I think we're all in the same boat this year!

[Boneyard1]

This is a RIAT thred! Not other airshows! Please use it as such!

[James Cutting]

It links it to RIAT about other shows and cancellations, and how it might affect RIAT. Wind it in.

[Headancer]

I've just read the T+Cs and cut off for anybody wishing to get a refund is 20th June less the administration fee.

If the trigger is pulled its worth taking into account that if we all pull the plug this may well effect the RIAT infrastructure in such a way that it minimises the chances of RIAT ever taking place again.

What do I mean by that ?

It may seem dramatic but a significant amount of the money that we all pay doesn't just go to the charities. It goes into the CHARITABLE POT
with trustees then paying for the full time salaries of press officer, administration staff, reception etc who will become short of work pretty quickly if there is no show and no other concerts.

The trustees first priorty will have to be protecting that income but the knock on effect may well be having to make those staff redundant.

I'm scratching my head as to how you keep that stucture in place for another year with a number of staff effectively doing nothing.

[plmc135]

Time for RIAT to remove their heads from the sand a make a statement about the future of this year's show.

[Tiger 1]

Time for RIAT to remove their heads from the sand a make a statement about the future of this year's show.

I agree plmc135... a statement from DBH should be innement now following todays developments.

Over to DBH....?

T1

[lambo1784]

Withdrawing emergency workers from all large events as announced this evening must mean the end of the show this year as no way in can run without police etc.
This could carry on for way past RIAT and even stretch into next year according to some reports.

John

[James Cutting]

Would just be reassuring to hear something from them about it. They can't just not address it.

[MRTT]

Withdrawing emergency workers from all large events as announced this evening must mean the end of the show this year as no way in can run without police etc.
This could carry on for way past RIAT and even stretch into next year according to some reports.

John

Wasn't a 12-13 week timescale mentioned in the press conference?

[Alf]

13 weeks would be close to July though.. guess they have to make decisions well in advance for all the arrangements....

[Red-Eye-Knight]

I have to agree it's time DBH say something about this years show after what Boris had to say today, Although it's sad i think it seems very likely that this years airshows all over will be cancelled.

[Boneyard1]

And this thread is not for threatening folk to wind it in J.C??

[James Cutting]

You a mod now??

[podge]

I was thinking the same

[paddyboy]

[TARGET]

I think a lot of you are being extremely unreasonable.We are in a fast changing situation that will probably change almost daily.RIAT is four months away.The Grand National cancelled with three weeks notice. For gods sake just be patient and hope for the best.

[Droptank]

Hi Target, firstly, this isn't a criticism of your post.

If RIAT had posted the following it would probably ease some of the concern people have about what the situation is:-

"We are in a fast changing situation that will probably change almost daily. RIAT is four months away.

Please be patient and hope for the best."


As you are probably recognise, most of those are YOUR words!

I don't think there is any way the RIAT organisers or Air Forces intending to visit, are in a position presently to confirm
anything either way to be quite frank so of course it's impossible to predict what will happen- that I understand.

There is so much global disruption at the moment and of course more important priorities than attending air shows, there
is the potential of a global recession to worry about so financial commitment to anything unnecessary will be under review also.


However....all the posters on here are asking for is a statement outlining what the thinking currently is about continuing
or cancelling or maybe even postponing the 2020 show, we simply don't have a clue what's going on and we do have a right
to know given our investment and commitment to work leave, holidays etc.

It seems that RIAT are hoping for the best (as we all definitely are) and the best scenario may actually materialise, depending
on timescales and the effectiveness of isolation and sensible exposure by those unfortunate people who are infected, but equally
it may not.

Knowing how forward-thinking RIAT organisers are, and continue to be, there must be a contingency in place to cover differing
scales of disruption depending on the state of affairs leading up to and during the show.


All that posters commenting on this thread are asking is for some level of clarity as to what may or may not happen depending
on prevailing circumstances.

Nobody on this forum/thread (unless they are directly involved of course) can possibly pre-empt what will or won't happen
and speculation, supposition and worse still proposing measures without the authority to do so makes matters worse.

I fear that RIAT isn't posting the plans as they will regrettably receive a barrage of rhetoric from all angles as to whether what
they say is right/wrong/typical/stupid/unfair etc etc which will make this thread explode probably.

That said, it would help somewhat if they used the words above from your note to at least show a little respect to the many
people who have invested in attending RIAT this year (myself included).

We're not asking for dates/times/what ifs/what if nots/who's cancelled/who's coming/is Tom Cruise coming or anything of any
detail but some re-assurance that they have some sort of plan/options and we will be kept informed at some point.

A carefully crafted note from DBH, recognising the concern people have relating to the "virus effect" is all that is being asked for
here and to be honest that's not asking for too much in my opinion- the failure to do so is forcing people to make their own minds
up about what the plan is (and if there is one) and is also damaging the good reputation of RIAT somewhat.

For everybody that reads this, please, please, please don't get into a fluster about what I've written, we're all on the same page
in wanting the best for RIAT in these challenging times and I don't want to be fending off criticising responses for the next fortnight.

I know it's a HUGE ask to continue with the show in these circumstances and we are all sympathetic with the impact it may have
on the organisation and people involved but they need to share a bit more about what they are thinking.

...and most of the SENSIBLE people on this forum will appreciate that regardless of what information it contains.

Thanks, hopefully see you all in FRIAT!

Droptank.