The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is set to highlight specialised aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance, maritime patrol, search and rescue, surveying and reconnaissance at next year’s show with a theme of ‘Eyes in the Skies’.
Even though there are still over 250 days until next summer’s event, more than 20,000 tickets have already been sold as people secure their spot at RAF Fairford, even though participating aircraft have not yet been revealed. The organisers say that aircraft announcements are set to begin early in 2025.
By welcoming 248 aircraft from almost 30 different countries, a sell-out crowd of 168,000 visitors and making a record donation of £2.6m to the event’s parent charity, the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust in 2024: the biggest in the show’s history.
Chief Executive Officer at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, Paul Atherton said:
“This year’s show was a huge success and we are thrilled to see people are already booking tickets for next year.
“Planning is well underway and announcing our theme marks the start of the event cycle for RIAT25.
“Our event provides a special opportunity for people to see and interact with aircraft of all shapes and sizes.
“Next year’s theme means visitors should be able to get up close and personal with specialist aircraft that usually operate out of sight given the nature of their missions.
“We look forward to sharing our plans with you in the coming months.”
RIAT25 is set to take place from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th July with 2025 and also marks 40 years since the world-renowned show made its way to RAF Fairford after being established at North Weald and then being held at Greenham Common.
In recognition of this, the event also plans to celebrate its history in the showground, looking back at four decades in Gloucestershire.
Paul Atherton added:
“RAF Fairford has been our home for the past four decades and in that time, we have seen some incredible aircraft at RIAT,”
“Therefore, it is only right we celebrate it with local people and visitors who have made the event what it is today.”