First sell-out for opening of tattoo (From Swindon Advertiser)

First sell-out for opening of tattoo

11:00pm Friday 17th July 2009 in News By Dave King

TICKETS for the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford tomorrow have completely sold out for the first time in the event’s history.

However, organisers have said some tickets still remain for Sunday’s airshow. These can be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, priced £34.95 each.

Air Tattoo chief executive Tim Prince said the quality of the flying display, combined with last year’s cancellation, meant that people were eager to attend the world’s largest military airshow.

He said: “Anyone still without a ticket who would like to come and share the excitement of this unique event must act quickly and buy a ticket online for Sunday.

Tickets are not for sale at the gates on either of the two days so please do not turn up on the day without a ticket.”

Aircraft began arriving for the Air Tattoo on Wednesday with a B1-B bomber from the US Air Force.

In total 85 aircraft touched down at the Cotswold base, from countries including Jordan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Hungary, Sweden and Italy. Arrivals continued throughout yesterday, with the star of this summer’s Air Tattoo, the Avro Vulcan, due to touch down today.

The Royal International Air Tattoo is staged annually in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust.

This weekend will have two main themes: the 60th anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) – and Sea Search 09. Since it was established in the early 1970s, the Air Tattoo has become a meeting place for Nato countries, giving visiting aircrew and military chiefs the opportunity to come together and exchange ideas.

This weekend, in addition to the many air forces taking part in the 60th anniversary celebrations, the Air Tattoo will play host to 75 senior Nato officials including 16 Nato ambassadors and Nato’s Deputy Secretary General.

Meanwhile, the Sea Search 09 theme will focus on the vital role played by aircraft and crew involved in maritime patrol and surveillance worldwide as well as well as vital search-and-rescue operations.

Visitors will be able to see many of the aircraft that perform these important roles, including the French Air Force Caracal, a Canadian C-130 Hercules, a CL604 Challenger from Denmark, Royal Navy Sea Kings and the Royal Air Force Nimrod MR2, as well as talk to the crews about the various operations they have taken part in.

The maritime theme will continue when more than 40 fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, from training squadrons and the front line as well as from the Royal Navy Historic Flight, combine in unique formations for a thrilling flypast marking the centenary of the Fleet Air Arm.