Newsletters Events
Logo Logo

The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Search

UK defence show RIAT cancelled because of Iran war

AL-MONITOR
May 22, 2026
An Airbus concept aircraft with a wing design inspired by nature, dubbed Bird of Prey, is displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Raf Fairford, near Fairford, Britain July 19, 2019. REUTERS/Tim Hepher
An Airbus concept aircraft with a wing design inspired by nature, dubbed Bird of Prey, is displayed at the Royal International Air Tattoo at Raf Fairford, near Fairford, Britain July 19, 2019. REUTERS/Tim Hepher — TIM HEPHER

May 22 (Reuters) - The Royal International Air Tattoo, one of the world's largest defence shows, has been cancelled due to military operations linked to the Iran war, it said on Friday.

RIAT had been scheduled for July 17-19 at RAF Fairford, an active Royal Air Force base in southwest England.

"This has not been an easy decision. It follows extensive discussions with the Royal Air Force and the United States Air Force regarding uncertainty over access to RAF Fairford, given the ongoing situation in the Middle East," RIAT said on its website.

The organisation said it intended to hold the show in 2027.

(Reporting by Andy Bruce, editing by Sam Tabahriti)