Three flying display additions to kick-off this week's update, courtesy of the Italian Air Force! At RIAT 2024 we're pleased to have their F-2000A Typhoon, C-27J Spartan and T-346A Master all performing in the flying display. These displays are very relevant for the 'Pushing the Boundaries' theme highlighting flight test and evaluation, as the 'Reparto Sperimentale di Volo' are the Italian Air Force's flight test unit. The Italian Air Force hope to also provide aircraft for static display, confirmation of which should follow in the coming weeks.

Three flying display additions to kick-off this week's update, courtesy of the Italian Air Force! At RIAT 2024 we're pleased to have their F-2000A Typhoon, C-27J Spartan and T-346A Master all performing in the flying display. These displays are very relevant for our 'Pushing the Boundaries' theme highlighting flight test and evaluation, as the 'Reparto Sperimentale di Volo' are the Italian Air Force's flight test unit. The Italian Air Force hope to also provide aircraft for static display, confirmation of which should follow in the coming weeks.

Starting this week with more F-16s for our 'Viper Line' static display as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the type at RIAT 2024! We're very excited to be welcoming a pair of F-16s from Portugal to RIAT; the first time since 2006 we've seen their jets at the show. In addition to the Vipers, the Portuguese Air Force is also sending their new Embraer KC-390 transport aircraft to RIAT for the first time, for static display. Obrigado!

Opening this week's update with the exciting news that we'll be welcoming an aircraft from a new nation for RIAT 2024. For the very first time we've got an aircraft from the Serbian Armed Forces attending the Air Tattoo, with their new Airbus C295MW aircraft coming for static display at this year's show. A warm welcome awaits the Serbian crew at RAF Fairford in July, as the 58th nation to participate at the Air Tattoo.

Starting this week's aircraft update with a huge contribution to the 'Viper Line' from the Royal Netherlands Air Force. As this will be the last time we'll see their F-16AM Fighting Falcons at RIAT (as they're retiring from service later this year), we're very pleased that they'll be sending four jets for static display, which is a fantastic contribution to our celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the F-16. In addition, from the Netherlands, their NH90 NATO Frigate Helicopter will also be returning for static display.

Starting this week with a pair of exciting pair of jets to join our 'Viper Line' on static display at RIAT 2024, coming from Greece. We're very pleased the Hellenic Air Force will be sending a pair of their Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 52+ jets to join the 50th anniversary celebrations. These particular jets will come from 336 ""Olympos"" Squadron and wear a very attractive 'Aegean Blue' colour scheme. We have asked the squadron to send aircraft equipped with Conformal Fuel Tanks, to show this impressive capability which can be used on the newer blocks of F-16s.

Starting this week with another F-16 for the flying display, with the return of the popular SOLOTÜRK Demo Team! This display flies an impressively painted F-16C Fighting Falcon, which we last saw at RIAT 2018, and therefore is a very welcome participant as we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the F-16 at the show. In addition, the Turkish Air Force will also contribute to the NATO 75th Anniversary static display line-up with a pair of their F-4E Phantoms jets. These aircraft, locally upgraded and known as the F-4E Terminator 2020, will be a very welcome sight for aviation enthusiasts at the show.

Starting this week's update with our loyal friends in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. A RIAT tradition, we will have the excellent Royal Jordanian Falcons performing in the flying display with their Extra 330LX aircraft. In addition, we'll be welcoming one of their Hercules for static display. Of note for enthusiasts, their current intent is to bring one of their newly acquired ex-USAF airframes. Finally, we're extremely excited that the Royal Jordanian Air Force will be sending a pair of their F-16 Fighting Falcons to RIAT for the first time, to join the type's 50th anniversary celebrations! The current plan is that they will send one single-seat and one twin-seat jet to join the Viper Line on static display, visible on Saturday & Sunday.

We're starting this week's update with confirmation of another international formation display team coming to RIAT 2024. We're pleased to announce Patrouille Suisse will be performing in the flying display on Saturday & Sunday! Flying their colourful F-5 Tigers, we haven't seen the team at RAF Fairford since 2017, so we're very pleased to be welcoming them back to RIAT this summer.

With the Royal Canadian Air Force's 100th anniversary to be marked next week (1st April), this week we announce the first of the static display items coming to RIAT as part of their centenary celebrations, both of which being historic De Havilland aircraft. Firstly we have a Chipmunk coming from Old Warden in its yellow RCAF colour scheme. Secondly, the Norwegian Vampire will be returning to RAF Fairford, this year to be adorned in Canadian markings especially for RIAT 2024! These aircraft will be parked alongside the modern day RCAF assets coming to RIAT 2024 on static display. We've had a number of great planning meetings with our Canadian friends already, and we hope to be able to announce their static aircraft participation next month, in addition to the previously announced CF-188 in the flying display.

Starting this week with the return of a popular flying display, from NATO's newest member! The Swedish Air Force will return to RIAT with their SAAB JAS-39C Gripen to perform in the flying display, and in addition they'll bring a JAS-39D Gripen for the static display.

© Giovanni van Erven / gve_photographing