The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) 2020 is canceled!
Yesterday 20th March 2020 at 12:30 the organization of the Royal International Air Tattoo announced the cancellation of the most famous European airshow of the year.
The World’s Greatest Airshow which was due to take place from 17 to 19 July of this year, unfortunately due to the global health emergency due to Covid-19, is definitively canceled after a painful decision by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE). Reading “Air Tattoo 2020 – Canceled” was not expected, but suspicion hovered in the minds of many fans.
In the statement, the RAFCTE says: “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.”, we clearly agree, as I think all of you, with this decision. As also expressed in the continuation of the declaration, given the worsening of the situation and the absolutely necessary support from the various Armed Forces and Air Forces for their Nations and for their Citizens, it was no longer necessary to go ahead with the organization of the event.
Aware of the possible local economic damage caused by the Airshow, the organization, apologizing to suppliers, supporters and all those involved and affected by this cancellation, reiterated the importance of not creating additional security problems, not taking away other essential resources to the health emergency and finally also don’t go against the current British Government advice on the medical situation.
In 2021, with the hope that this year the emergency will end soon and in the best way, RAFCTE will be busy organizing AirTattoo50, the 50th anniversary of the Royal International Air Tattoo. In 1971, at the North Weald Airfield in Essex, two CAA air traffic controllers Paul Bowen and Timothy Prince with the Air Marshal Sir Denis Crowley-Milling founded and organized the first Air Tattoo. In 1976 it became International Air Tattoo and since 1985 for the first time the event took place in the RAF Fairford air base. In 1996, Her Majesty the Quenn Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, has granted the status of Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), which is the current name of the most famous airshow in the world.
We postpone the wait until next year so that we can celebrate the 50th anniversary of RIAT and the newfound freedom that Covid-19 is currently denying us. In the hope of being able to see the end of this epidemic we wish a speedy recovery to those who have been infected, and we renew the invitation that is circulating in unison all over the world: stay at home, avoid contagion and stop the epidemic!
From Zürich: Daniele Maiolo.
Link:
Royal International Air Tattoo
Coronavirus disease 2019
Royal International Air Tattoo 2019 – BSA Report