What's the security like at the show?

Your safety is very important to us.

Entry into this year's showground is completed in two phases. When you arrive at RAF Fairford, the first stage is a bag search.  We intend to search every bag brought into the event, so bear this in mind when deciding what to bring. Packing lightly will help to decrease wait times.

Once you have completed this initial phase, you will enter an area with merchandise and toilet facilities before then having your ticket scanned. Once you have passed this area, you are safe to make your way onto the showground.  

It is worth noting that if you use a wheelchair or scooter, you can gain access to the site from any of the customer entry points.  

The Air Tattoo organisers and their security teams together with Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and the RAF police, have taken appropriate security measures to ensure your safety whilst at RAF Fairford. However, we need your assistance and ask that:

  • You keep your personal belongings with you at all times
  • If you see or hear anything that you consider to be suspicious, please report the matter to the nearest police officer, military individual or a member of the Air Tattoo team
  • In the event of an incident, co-operate with the police, military personnel and all members of the Air Tattoo team

Please note: To ensure The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is enjoyed by all, the use of any unmanned aircraft including drones of any type, are prohibited without the relevant permission. For more information on the airspace restriction visit here.

Breaches of Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 constitute an offence and you may be liable to prosecution.

Related FAQs

Any lost property handed in at the showground will be stored at the Central Visitor Information Point. Lost property will be kept for a minimum of 30 days. For post show lost property enquiries, please email enquiries@rafcte.com.

 

 

The central visitor information point deals with lost and found children, please make your way there and/or inform a member of the Air Tattoo CREW. Please ensure any children you bring to the show wear a safeguarding wristband, available from any entrance gate or information point, as this will considerably speed up the time it takes to reunite you with your child.

Yes, you are welcome to bring your own food and drink although mobile catering is also provided on the showground. You may bring fold away chairs or picnic blankets to sit on and can leave these and picnic/coolboxes in the free of charge Drop Zone (left luggage) at the central visitor information point.

No, these are not allowed on the airfield, showground or the car parks.

Unfortunately, pet dogs and any other animals are not permitted entry to the showground, park & view enclosures or official RIAT car parks. This is not only for health and safety reasons, but the vast majority of aircraft at RIAT are extremely noisy and very likely to cause distress to any animal. Please also note Police patrol the car parks and will take action if an animal has been left in a car.

RIAT is committed to being a fully inclusive event and because of this, we do recognise that some visitors will require a dog to accompany them for medical reasons.

In compliance with the Equality Act 2010, we will accommodate them in this situation via a case-by-case basis.

To proceed with an application, contact us via enquiries@rafcte.com.

Once you have done this, you will be sent a form which must be completed in order for us to collect the relevant information about you and your animal.

Following a successful application, you will be supplied with a reference number for your dog which will allow us to identify it.

A full range of catering units will be located across the showground and at the various refuelling stations and Take Off Zone. If you have specific dietary requirements we suggest you bring food with you as we cannot guarantee you will find exactly what you need on the showground.

We also provide free water with a number of water bowsers located at each refuelling station and around the showground. please bring a refillable water bottle with you or buy one from our merchandise units

Many babies/young children attend RIAT however we recommend ear defenders for babies/young children as the majority of aircraft displaying are extremely loud. There are many suppliers of ear defenders for babies and small children and these can be ordered on the internet. We do not hire ear defenders. The Official Air Tattoo merchandise units sell ear defenders, however, they may not be suitable for babies and very young children.

We provide a free Drop Zone facility that will allow you to make the most of your day by leaving shopping, picnics and any other heavy items in a secure location. The Drop Zone can be found in the centre of the showground at the central visitor information point.

The main Information Point is located in the centre of the showground; you can also find two further Information Points in the east and west areas of the showground.

The Air Tattoo CREW are also here to help you enjoy your day and have a wealth of information. They are easy to spot on the showground in their turquoise uniforms and large foam aircraft hands!

Cash points/ATM Machines will be available by each of the visitor information points (east, central and west), as well as in the Take Off Zone. For their exact location please check the showground map. A small fee is charged for this service to enable us to have them present at the event.

Toilets can be found in numerous places; near each refuelling station, in the Take Off Zone, and beside the customer entry points in the car parks. Check the showground map for their exact locations. If you have booked an enclosure experience you will have access to private toilets. We ensure we have plenty of facilities placed throughout the showground that are easy to find; providing more than the recommended ratio of people to toilets.

Shelters are allowed up to 1.5 metres in height as are step ladders however they are not allowed within 10m of the crowdline so that they do not obstruct the view of others. Full height gazebos/tents are not allowed. This will be policed and should the problem persist then you will be asked to leave the event, as stated on our T&Cs.

Smoking (including vaping) within the enclosure areas is only allowed in outdoor designated smoking areas, as determined by the organisers and indicated with appropriate signage and is not allowed in any event structure at RIAT, or within 10 metres of any aircraft.

Pedestrian access for RIAT will be through the yellow customer entry point. You can also arrive through the blue customer entry point.

Bicycles or scooters are not allowed on the showground, however there will be a bicycle rack at each of the main customer entry points (Blue, Red and Green but not Yellow) for you to securely lock your bicycle/scooter.  However, we don’t mind if you lock your bicycle to the external fencing.

Our first aid post is centrally located in the aircraft bay next to the blue customer entry point. If help is required elsewhere in the Air Tattoo, ambulance and paramedic personnel will respond in order to provide medical assistance. Contact a member of the Air Tattoo, who will call for medical assistance.

If you are unable to attend the show in person, you can still catch the full flying display by watching the official live stream by Planes TV on 87.7FM!.

The Aircraft Checklist is a great tool to ensure you see every aircraft at the show. With serial numbers, codes and squadron information included, you’ll have the ultimate guide to RIAT25. Pick up your copy at the tented shops along the showground or at the Customer Entry Points. Copies are £4 each.

We have put in place a flag system to help you find your way around the show. The tallest flags in orange tell you what number location you are at, and the navy flags in between tell you which amenities, activities and enclosures are close by. You can also use our showground maps, listen to our commentary and look on the big screens to find out where all the action is. If you need any any further help then just ask a member of the Air Tattoo CREW.

The multi-faith room can be used for personal prayer in any religious tradition, or for meditation and reflection. The room is not bookable and please note that as we are an airshow, the area is not silent. You can find this facility at the central Visitor Information Point.

There is a pharmacy on the showground located right next to the megastore where you will be able to purchase products such as sun cream and paracetamol.

Yes, there are four 'easy access' toilet cubicles with a baby changing unit in them in each of the three large toilet areas across the public showground, as well as in the Family Enclosure for its guests only. Please refer to the showground map for the toilet locations.