Royal International Air Tattoo Fairford (19th, 20th & 21st of July) 2024 UK

50 Years F-16

In 2024, the 50th anniversary of the F-16 Fighting Falcon’s first flight was celebrated. With over 4,600 airframes manufactured over five decades, the aircraft had become one of the most successful combat jets in history. To mark this milestone, the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 hosted a global celebration of the F-16 Fighting Falcon in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. The event featured a static line-up of F-16s from around the world, alongside impressive flying demonstrations of the iconic aircraft.

Pushing the Boundaries in air and space

The main theme highlighted the important work of Flight Test & Evaluation in modern aviation, reflecting on 100 years of British military test flying. The event showcased specialized, modified, and instrumented test flight aircraft from organizations around the world dedicated to Flight Test, Evaluation, and Scientific Research. Additionally, the theme provided an opportunity for the aviation industry to present the latest technological advancements, including sustainable aviation technologies such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft.

NATO 75th Anniversary

Since its establishment in the early 1970s, the Air Tattoo had been committed to demonstrating the importance of the NATO Alliance. Therefore, it was fitting that RIAT 2024 celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. Since its founding in April 1949, NATO’s fundamental role had been to safeguard the freedom and security of its member countries, and in today’s world, NATO’s role remained as crucial as ever. This special occasion was marked at RIAT 2024 by welcoming aircraft from NATO nations.

100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force

One of the focus areas for the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 was the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. A special ground area showcased both modern RCAF assets and historic aircraft types formerly flown by the RCAF, alongside displays of Canadian culture for visitors to enjoy and interact with. Additionally, the event featured a performance by the Canadian CF-18 Demo Team in the flying display.