Canadian jets mark maiden aircraft announcement for RIAT
- 7th Dec 2023
The Royal Canadian Air Force have become the first nation to confirm their attendance at next year’s Royal International Air Tattoo.
They will be sending their McDonnell Douglas CF-188A Hornet to take part in the flying display, a display which has not been seen at RAF Fairford since 2018.
The Canadian’s involvement at next summer’s event has further significance as the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024, to be held 19th, 20th, 21st July 2024, will be hosting a celebration for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Centennial in 2024.
Head of Air Operations for the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, Peter Reoch said: “We are delighted to confirm our first participating aircraft for next year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, especially with the Canadian Hornet being a rare sight in British skies.
“In addition to flying display, we are expecting a large Canadian presence in the static display at RAF Fairford in July as we mark their centenary, and we are looking forward to sharing more information in the coming months once additional aircraft types are confirmed.”
Last year RIAT helped the Italian Air Force celebrated their centenary with a designated area at the event’s showground which hosted a variety of static display from throughout their history. For 2024, it is the turn of the Royal Canadian Air Force to celebrate this milestone.
Brigadier-General Ron Walker, Deputy Commander Force Generation at 1 Canadian Air Division, and the former Air Advisor for the Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in London said: “The Royal Canadian Air Force have a long and proud history that is intertwined with the Royal Air Force.
“We are looking forward to celebrating this history next summer at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
“Being the world-renowned event it is, we are working hard to mark the RCAF Centennial at the show next July and visitors can expect to see a diverse array of our assets and culture on display.”
More aircraft for RIAT 2024 will be announced during the Spring, but tickets are already selling fast, with almost 30,000 already sold. To purchase tickets for the show, visit www.airtattoo.com/tickets-packages/.
