20/03/2020
It is with enormous regret and disappointment that we have to announce the cancellation of this year's Royal International Air Tattoo, due to take place from 17 to 19 July, as a result of the challenging and unprecedented environment presented by COVID-19.
This decision has not been taken lightly and a significant amount of work sits behind this course of action. The crisis, which is worsening by the day, and the implications of which are becoming more profound, has led us to conclude that the most prudent course of action is to cease any further planning to deliver this significant event.
The Air Tattoo is reliant on the support of a wide range of stakeholders, not least the participation of international air arms, medical professionals, military security teams and our Emergency Services, many of whom are delivering a fundamental contribution to fighting this crisis. We believe delivery of our event would distract them from this.
At the heart of this difficult decision is our firm belief that staging the Air Tattoo this year would not only run counter to the current Government advice but would also be beyond what we could reasonably ask of our supporters. We recognise that our decision will have a negative financial impact on our valued suppliers and traders, on the local economy that benefits so much from the large influx of people who arrive in the area for one week in July, as well as on our parent charity. For this we apologise.
We would like to thank all our partners, the RAF, USAF, sponsors, the world's air forces, our amazing volunteers and of course the public who turn up year on year to support our magnificent event. We seek your patience and encouragement over the next few weeks as we plan for the future in order to return in 2021 to celebrate the Air Tattoo's 50th Anniversary.
REFUNDS - If you have purchased tickets for the 2020 Air Tattoo we are currently putting in place the process to claim a full refund or transfer your booking to 2021. Please be assured we will be in touch with regard to this so there is no need to contact us. Click: bit.ly/riatrefund for further information and the answers to many of the questions you may have. We are as devastated as you are that we have had to make this decision and as with many organisations we are working remotely apart from a small team, so please bear with whilst we all try to get through this difficult situation.
