Following risk assessments by the Ministry of Defence, the Red Arrows appearances at Farnborough International Airshow have been restricted to flypasts and public engagement on the ground.
A statement issued by Farnborough International Airshow reads as follows:
We can confirm the RAF Red Arrows will still be flying at Farnborough International Airshow this year and will be engaging with the young people attending Futures Days and the public during the public weekend.
In light of the accident at Shoreham last year the nature of their display will change. The RAF has conducted an assessment of the risk associated with flying their display at Farnborough. Due to the high speed and dynamic nature of the Red Arrows aerobatic routine, the RAF has decided it will not be possible for them to perform their traditional display at Farnborough this year.
We can also confirm there will be a full flying display featuring some of the most exciting and pioneering aircraft currently available. The Farnborough International team have been working closely with the CAA to implement all the requirements of their updated air display regulations.
With a rich history of pioneering firsts, Farnborough International Airshow is a showcase for the aviation industry and the Red Arrows will be part of an exciting show that will be packed full of entertainment and aircraft (in the sky and on the ground) to inform, inspire and ignite the passions of the next generation of pilots and engineers.
The Red Arrows also issued their own statement:-
The Red Arrows will be flying at the Farnborough International Airshow and engaging with both adults and young people on all three days that are open to the general public.
However, the high speed and dynamic nature of the traditional Red Arrows’ display is no longer appropriate due to the large amounts of local housing, business areas and major transport links underneath the planned display area.
In addition to the Red Arrows flypast with the new F35 Lightning II aircraft on 11 July, further Red Arrows flypasts in different formations are now planned for 15, 16 and 17 July. These additional flypasts, together with more exciting opportunities for the public to engage with the Red Arrows team on the ground, and other RAF air and ground displays, will ensure the Airshow remains a truly exciting, inspirational and entertaining family event.
For the remainder of the display season the Red Arrows are looking forward to displaying as usual at multiple events all over the UK and abroad.
