World’s ‘greatest’ military air show leaves base at centre of terror probe

The Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Boscombe Down will now host the event, starting in 2027.

Gavin Gager, chief executive of Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, said: “It is about securing the future of the world’s greatest military airshow.”

The show, which attracts up to 170,000 eventgoers, was cancelled this year amid the uncertainty surrounding RAF Fairford.

The base was at the centre of an alleged terror plot that saw police initially arrest five British nationals on September 27 after three suspicious vehicles were reported outside in the early hours.

Two other men, one of whom is a dual UK-Iranian national, have since been arrested and bailed.

No10 insisted RAF Fairford was safe, but Andy Burnham told GB News: “What I can say is that there are strong indications that Iran played a part in what happened (at RAF Fairford).

“It is, though, still an ongoing and very serious police investigation.”

Organisers insisted the decision to move away from RAF Fairford was to “secure the long-term future of RIAT” but stated the move was “much more than a new location”.

Mr Gager thanked the Gloucestershire base and the community for their “support and partnership”, which has “helped make RIAT the success it is today”.

“Now, we have the opportunity to write the next chapter. I cannot wait to welcome the world to RIAT27 at Boscombe Down and to share that journey with everyone who makes this extraordinary event possible.”

Ian Thorn, Wiltshire Council leader, said the move was “fantastic news” that will put the region “on the “national and international stage”.

However, the leader of Gloucestershire County Council, Lisa Spivey, said she was “bitterly disappointed” at the decision, noting the RIAT has been “part of the fabric of Gloucestershire”.

“It has also been a real boost to our tourism economy and provided an important showcase for Gloucestershire’s world-class advanced engineering and aerospace sector in addition to our beautiful landscapes and vibrant market towns,” she said.

Dr Roz Savage, MP for the South Cotswolds, also said she was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

The RIAT has been part of life in Fairford for more than four decades.

“It brings families together, supports local businesses and shows off our area to the world, and I have always been a proud supporter of it.

“Local people were never given a say on the base being used for the United States’ operations against Iran and they have paid the price: months of noise and disruption, the frightening events of late September and now the loss of a much-loved event.”

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