Skip to content

Extra security launched at world's biggest military air show

BBC A grey plane on the ground with sunny skies aboveBBC
More than 250 aircraft will be on display at RIAT

Attendees of the world's largest military air show are being warned to prepare for longer delays to get in due to extra security checks.

Around 180,000 people will ascend on RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire from Friday for the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT).

Organisers of the three-day event have increased security following recommendations from the Manchester bombing inquiry.

"We've been working really closely with Gloucestershire police. There will be 100% bag searches" said chief executive Paul Atherton.

Paul Atherton in a high vis jacket with planes blurred in the background
Paul Atherton asked people to have patience with staff doing security checks

People are being asked to allow extra time and bring as few bags as possible.

The security staff will also be using X-Ray machines.

"We have to do it. Don't bring anything you don't need," added Mr Atherton.

"We've made the customer entry points bigger, we've tried to make it slightly airport in style. If you've got no bags you'll be fast-tracked."

RIAT is the second largest event in the west of England after Glastonbury Festival.

Air crews from 26 countries have been flying into the military airbase ahead of the show beginning.

Air operations manager Peter Reoch said: "Nowhere else on earth have we got aircraft from Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, the US, Saudi Arabia all together."

Two planes, one has a shark face painted on its nose, the other is green, brown and pink
Aircraft from across the world have been flying in ahead of the show
A grey plane with blue and yellow paint on its front wings and the word "star"

In the run up to the event, a secure part of the compound becomes an official airport terminal staffed by Border Force and some of the event's 1,200 volunteers.

"We can then check them in, get all their passes organised for them. We do all their accommodation for them and just make sure they're happy all weekend, really," said volunteer Sarah Lodder-Manning.

Peter Reoch in a high vis jacket with a blurred plan in the background
Peter Reoch said: "The spirit of RIAT is something that you can't really explain, you can only feel"

The event also bring a big boost for local businesses.

"It's the event for our calendar year. It brings major tourism once a year into Fairford," explained Jacqui Bartels, ops manager of The Bull Hotel and Pub.

"It brings a different type of client in, a different type of tourism."

"Not just the weekend, but the lead up to - two weeks before, two weeks afterwards, business is mega," added Maxine Hastings, from Fairford Coffee Post.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]

Jacqui Bartels smiling near a pub bar
Jacqui Bartels said the weekend would bring a big boost to local businesses

Follow BBC West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Send your story ideas to: [email protected]