VIDEO: RIAT flying displays extended

The eight-hour flying displays at this year's Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) are to be extended by 45 minutes on both Saturday and Sunday due to the large number of aircraft planning to display at the airshow.

Flight International's editorial team are going to to be at this year's air show to bring you pictures and the highhlights of all the latest news from the event held at Fairford, over the weekend of 14 and 15 July.

The flying display will start at 9.45am, 15 minutes earlier than scheduled and finish at 6.30pm on both Saturday 14 July and Sunday, 15 July.

Opening the annual military air show on Saturday will be a display by a Finnish Air Force F-18C Hornet, with the Spanish aerobatics display team, the Patrulla Aguila.

Around 70 aircraft will take part in the flying display, with a further 200 aircraft on static display.

RIAT showcases a flying display with fast jets, giant transporters, historic aircraft, the Red Arrows, and an appearance by the USAF Thunderbirds, the F-117A stealth bomber. On Sunday only, Boeing's commercial 747-400 will also be at the static display.

Air operations group manager Rob Windsor said of the upcoming event: “These days, air arms across the world are under extreme financial and operational pressures. It’s a testament to the kudos of performing at the Air Tattoo that, in spite of these pressures, so many want to be a part of the flying display.”