Red Arrows forced to cancel UK air show appearances as return from US is imminent
The Red Arrows' summer season has been dealt a fresh blow as the RAF Aerobatic Team has been forced to cancel its involvement in several shows in the UK.
The iconic red jets had been stranded in Canada last week due to poor weather, meaning their return to the UK was delayed following a tour of the United States.
It is expected that the group will be able to cross the Atlantic from today based on better weather conditions forecast.
Regrettable decision
The Hawk T1 jets had been in the United States for Operation Eagle Hawk to help the country celebrate its 250th anniversary last month.
Unfortunately, the RAF said that the Red Arrows would "regrettably" not be able to appear at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week in light of the new timetable.
"We are very sorry the Red Arrows cannot participate at these events, and we are grateful to organisers and communities for their understanding," Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding RAF Aerobatic Team, said.
"Every effort is being made to ensure that the Red Arrows can recommence the busy display season as soon as possible.
"However, safety is the only factor that will determine the timing of the team's return from Canada."
The Typhoon Display Team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) remain part of the line-up at Eastbourne.
The BBMF is also carrying out flypasts at Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week on 21 and 22 August, while a C-17 Globemaster and two Typhoon jets will perform a flypast over the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on 15 August.
The air events team, which coordinates the RAF's display assets, has been in talks with these shows.
How do the Red Arrows get home from Canada?
As the Red Arrows' jets are only able to fly 750 miles in one bound – weather permitting – they cannot fly to their destination, RAF Waddington, direct.
The jets, which cannot be refuelled in the air, have to cross the Atlantic in stages, and it is made more complicated by the small number of diversion airfields available.
The RAF said that a "reasonable buffer window" was baked into the scheduling of Operation Eagle Hawk after previous crossings in 2019 and 2024.
Despite the planning, the weather in north-east Canada has been particularly challenging, the RAF said.
Team personnel have completed the planned engineering work on the Hawk T1 jets during the Red Arrows' stay at CFB Goose Bay.
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