The popular RAF Waddington International Air Show was the largest RAF airshow until its cancellation in 2015.
The first RAF Waddington International Air Show was staged at RAF Waddington in 1995, after the event was moved down from RAF Finningley - an RAF station located east of Doncaster (now
Doncaster Sheffield Airport) which was closed down in 1995. Since then the RAF Waddington International Air Show had developed into the largest of all Royal Air Force air shows. It regularly took place at the end of June or beginning of July, attracting over 140,000 visitors and representatives of Air Forces from all round the world.
The last airshow at RAF Waddington took place in 2014 and it was understood that there would not be an airshow in 2015 due to a new runway rebuild. It was then announced in 2015 that the Waddington International Air Show would not return again due to 'significant security concerns and operational risks'. It was hoped that an alternative RAF air show could be held at RAF Scampton in the future.
An air show did take place at RAF Scampton in 2017 but this was just a one-off event and it has since been announced that RAF Scampton will close by 2022 with the Red Arrows moving to RAF Waddington.
Hungarian MiG-29 at the RAF Waddington International Air Show 2005
From the RAF Waddington International Air Show website:
The Royal Air Force has confirmed the Waddington International Air Show will not return due to 'significant security concerns and operational risks'.
The RAF has been conducting a review of its air show commitments and it has now been announced that the popular air show will no longer be held at the RAF base near Lincoln.
The Royal Air Force has said an extensive survey of alternative sites in the East of England has been carried out and it has decided that it would be possible to hold an air show at RAF Scampton.
However, further work is needed to address significant legal, commercial and infrastructure issues.
The RAF said: 'It will not be possible to hold an air show at RAF Scampton until 2017 at the earliest.'
'The RAF appreciates that the cancellation of the air show at RAF Waddington will be a disappointment to many; however, it is hoped that the intent to establish an alternative air show at RAF Scampton is evidence of the RAF's commitment to maintain its traditional and modern links to 'Bomber County'.'
Sea Harrier FA2 at the RAF Waddington International Air Show 2005
Red Arrows at the RAF Waddington International Air Show 2009
• RAF Waddington Information