Air displays in the UK can be traced back almost as far as the history of aviation itself, the excitement of seeing either the latest or oldest flying machine still remains, with many millions of people attending air displays and airshows throughout the country each year.

  • In 2024, attendances at Air Display events were approximately 4.2 million which places them as the United Kingdom’s fourth largest outdoor spectator activity after football, horse racing and music festivals.
  • Air Displays are demonstrably important to the UK economy. In 2024, Air Display Events  contributed at least £150 million to the UK economy and charities. **
  • A Case Study of the UK Air Display Industry in 2019 is included in BVEP’s 2020 Events Report – How Events Deliver the UK’s Industrial Strategy
  • Events vary from small local events featuring one display act right through to major seaside festivals, major trade events and international military displays with up to eight hours of flying displays.
  • Flying display acts are drawn from military, commercial and private operators, many of which not only display in the UK, but also at events around the globe.
  • Airshows are an important engagement tool for STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Engineering Industry, Youth organisations and Government (through support from UK armed services) engage with airshows to promote STEM activities, education and careers. Airshows and UK based display participants are also significant contributors to International Diplomacy, Tourism and UK trade activities.

  • Many air displays are held for the benefit of local and national charities both in terms of financial contributions and awareness. During the 2019 display season, air displays supported the Royal Air Force Charities (RAF Charitable Trust, RAF Benevolent Fund, Royal Air Forces Association, RAF Museum), Help for Heroes, BBC Children in Need, The Jon Egging Trust, Local Air Ambulance Trusts, Aerobility plus many worthy local causes.
  • UK Air Displays and display flying are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). Safety is paramount to all involved in the staging of air displays. The Shoreham Tragedy in 2015 prompted a major review of air display regulation which remains on going, However between the Farnborough Airshow accident in 1952 and Shoreham 2015, no spectators were involved in a display flying accident. The British Air Display Association works together with the regulators, organisers and participants to continuously improve safety standards. 

  • Flying Display Directors, who are responsible for the safe running of flying displays, and Display Pilots all hold UK CAA and/or MAA accreditation to perform their tasks at air displays. Flying Display Directors are trained and accredited jointly by the CAA and MAA. UK Civilian Displays pilots all have to hold a Display Authorisation (DA) awarded by the CAA following evaluation by CAA appointed experienced display pilots . UK Military Display Pilots and crews are awarded their Public Display Authorisation by their command chain in respect to regulations and guidance set out by the MAA.
  • The UK Air Display community supports events around the world. Civilian UK-based Flying Display Directors, Display Pilots and other specialists also support major aviation events throughout Europe and further afield including Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Malta, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. .

** Each Year, the British Air Display Association conducts an annual review of UK Air Displays.