The Red Arrows are booked! Council confirms aviation favourites for upcoming air show

This is an archived article from 1 March 2023. 

It's the announcement we've all been waiting for - South Ayrshire Council has confirmed that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows, will appear at this year's International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight.

Widely regarded as the world's best formation aerobatic display team, The Red Arrows will take to the skies above Ayr's shoreline to perform a breath-taking aerial sequence.

The iconic display team will be the highlight of this much anticipated event, when they demonstrate precision flying of the highest quality, with the aircraft flying just eight feet apart, at speeds in excess of 400 miles per hour.  

Flying Display Director, Les Garside-Beattie OBE, will co-ordinate The Red Arrows and other impressive aircraft displays at the event.

The action-packed festival will run over a period of three days, from Friday 8 - Sunday 10 September.  There will be a whole host of great family entertainment on offer throughout the weekend, with the main attraction, the aerial displays, taking place on Saturday 9 September.

Flying Display Director, Les Garside-Beattie OBE said: "I'm delighted to announce that the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, will be participating at this year's event. Their performance will be guaranteed to enthral us all and will be the highlight of the air show."

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said: "It's very exciting to be able to confirm that The Red Arrows will appear at The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight this September.  They are the must-see display team, so it's absolutely fantastic that we've been able to secure them to perform on Saturday 9 September."

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Sport and Leisure, Councillor Brian Connolly, said: "This is excellent news!  The Red Arrows always put on a spectacular and thrilling display, so they will undoubtably be the key attraction at the air show event."

Leader of South Ayrshire Council, Councillor Martin Dowey, said: "Bringing the new air show to Ayr this year is a fantastic achievement for the Council and working with partners to secure The Red Arrows is the icing on the cake.  Locals and visitors have got a lot to look forward to this September."

We'll make further announcements about more aircraft and displays everyone can expect to see at the event as they are confirmed.

Keep up to date with preparations for The International Ayr Show - Festival of Flight at www.ayrshow.co.uk.