Aircraft Updates

Another busy week at Douglas Bader House and four more aircraft added to the static display line-up for RIAT26!

Firstly, a UK debut from the Royal Danish Air Force who will be sending their Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk for static display at the show! As well as being the first time we're welcoming this particular variant of the naval helicopter to RIAT, we think this might be the first time we've ever seen any form of 'Seahawk' at the show, so it's a real highlight for aviation enthusiasts. We are aware that the RDAF currently have one of these helicopters adorned with special markings (N-973), so we'll be asking them to bring this airframe.

In addition, this week we also confirm a further three aircraft for our chronological 'Fighter Meet' themed line-up; Adorned in a stunning desert camouflage scheme, we have Spitfire IX LZ842 coming to the show for the first time. To represent the P-51D Mustang we have 'Marinell', a true WWII veteran airframe which wears the colours of the 504 Fighter Squadron based at Folwmere in Cambridgeshire during 1944. Finally, Hawker Hunter Aviation will be sending one of their jets to RIAT, with the plan for ZZ191 in a striking splinter camouflage scheme to be the jet on static display duties this year.

Despite world events and ongoing military operations, planning for RIAT26 is continuing at pace, and conversations with international air arms (and our colleagues at RAF Fairford) are continuing regarding their support to the show in July. More news next week..!

Previous Updates

Thursday 12th March

This week we can confirm the Belgian Air Force will bring a diverse array of aircraft to RIAT26, marking their 80th Anniversary this year!

Firstly, the NH90 NFH will make its debut appearance in the flying display for the first time. As part of RIAT's tribute to the Belgian Air Force's 80th Anniversary, we'll be hosting a pairs search and rescue demonstration, with the ex-Belgian Air Force Sea King Mk.48 (now operated by Historic Helicopter) flying alongside the NH90 to showcase past and present Belgian Air Force SAR, something special for visitors at RIAT26. This will be a special display routine, planned especially for RIAT, to showcase both helicopters together and individually, but also spread the action along the crowdline to please all our visitors.

On Static Display the Belgian Air Force will once again send their Airbus A400M transport aircraft, which will arrive on the Friday and be parked at the western end of the showground. The A400M will have onboard a small exhibition to showcase the 80th Anniversary of the Belgian Air Force, supplemented by other ground displays surrounding the aircraft. They will also send their Falcon 7X jet, which has visited RIAT previously on VIP transportation duties but never before been seen on static display, so a welcome visitor as part of our 'Royal Flight' theme. Finally, they will send a F-16BM Fighting Falcon, with the plan to be a jet adorned in a new special tail marking the BAF's 80th Anniversary. If that wasn't enough, they also hope to send a F-16AM Fighting Falcon, but that will depend on operational tempo and will be confirmed closer to the show if available.

Huge thank-you to our friends in Belgium for their excellent support to RIAT26. More news to come next week..!

Thursday 5th March

This week we have our first additions to the static displays, focusing on our 'Fighter Meet' theme. Our aspiration is to create a chronological line-up of aircraft used for air-to-air combat throughout the ages, and we're pleased to confirm the first iconic fighters to start this special static display line-up...

Firstly, the Norwegian Historical Squadron will be returning with their Vampire FB.52, which this year will be adorned in the markings of 54 Squadron, showcasing one of the Royal Air Force's earliest jet aircraft. Coming across from Germany, Flying Legends GmbH, will be providing their Corsair 'Devotion' and continuing the naval fighter theme, Navy Wings will be bringing their Supermarine Seafire. Navy Wings will also be bringing their Harvard (Texan) which will be parked alongside the modern-day Royal Navy assets.

Last week our team had lots of productive discussions at the European Airshow Council Convention. Nearly all the Air Forces we spoke with are planning to send assets to the show this year, including some flying displays we haven't seen at RIAT previously! However, given their operational priorities across Europe and NATO, several nations informed us that whilst they intend to send aircraft, their written confirmations of participation will be delayed. Likewise, given the complex geopolitical situation, we expect that some nations will defer their decisions on airshow participation. Nevertheless, planning for RIAT 2026 continues at full pace and we look forward to providing more news next week..! 

Thursday 26th February

It wouldn't be RIAT without the Royal Jordanian Falcons, so we're pleased to be able to get an early confirmation of their attendance from our friends in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The team will return to RAF Fairford with their four colourful Extra 330LX to perform in the flying display, our first international display team confirmed for the show this year! (We are still awaiting confirmation from RJAF Headquarters on the participation of their C-130H Hercules aircraft).

This week's discussions have continued with various air forces and civilian operators about the participation of their aircraft at the show. Of note for aviation enthusiasts, we have recently heard from Kuwait and South Africa, who both hope to send aircraft to the show this year for static display, which would be warmly welcomed. We will continue to work with both nations and will provide updates when able! 

This week, we have a delegation attending the European Airshow Council Convention, which this year is hosted in Athens. This gives us a fantastic opportunity to meet those involved in airshows across the continent with the key emphasis on learning, developing and innovating the air display industry, to ensure its future and of course continue EAC's primary goals of advancing safety and excellence. Our Head of Air Operations, Peter Reoch, is also giving a presentation at the convention, sharing best practice from RIAT for other airshow organisers to consider. 

We will bring you all the news from EAC, and more aircraft announcements, next week..

Thursday 19th February

Welcome to the first #TakeoffThursday for RIAT 2026! Each week we'll bring you the latest news, direct from the Air Operations Department, about the aircraft coming to RAF Fairford in July.

This week we're pleased that our 'Fighter Meet' theme gets off to a flying start thanks to the Finnish Air Force. They will be returning to RIAT with their popular F/A-18C Hornet, performing in the flying display. This year's display will be provided by Hävittäjälentolaivue 31 (Fighter Squadron 31).

We're already in discussions with several Air Forces about their planned participation at this year's show, with our usual mix of flying and static displays, which will be confirmed in the coming months as the show approaches. You can view the list of Air Arms who are already in discussions with below: