The Red Arrows have withdrawn from several major summer air show appearances after the Royal Air Force aerobatic display team was left stranded in Canada by poor weather. The squadron had been due back at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire last week at the conclusion of its United States tour, but forecasts for north-eastern Canada forced the team to remain grounded, pushing its return into next week.
As a result, the team confirmed it will miss its scheduled performances at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week.
"Regrettably, this revised timeline means the Red Arrows will not be in a position to complete performances at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week," a spokesperson said.
Why has the team been delayed in Canada?
The Royal Air Force has said the aircraft's route home involves multiple refuelling stops and depends on favourable flying conditions, meaning the multi-leg journey cannot proceed until the weather clears sufficiently. According to a defence news outlet, the delay stems from a prolonged spell of forecast poor weather across north-eastern Canada, and officials intend to fly the Hawk jets back to RAF Waddington once conditions allow, resuming the summer display season from there.
What has the RAF said about the disruption?
Wing Commander Sasha Nash, who commands the aerobatic team, apologised for the impact on organisers and audiences while stressing that pilot and aircraft safety takes precedence over the schedule.
"We are very sorry the Red Arrows cannot participate at these events and we are grateful to organisers and communities for their understanding."
"Every effort is being made to ensure the Red Arrows can recommence the busy display season as soon as possible."
"However, safety is the only factor that will determine the timing of the team's return from Canada."
Will other RAF displays still go ahead?
Despite the Red Arrows' absence, Eastbourne's show will still feature other Royal Air Force acts, including the Typhoon display team and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, as part of a broad line-up. The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight is also set to carry out flypasts over Lyme Regis during Lifeboat Week on 21 and 22 August.
How big was the US tour that preceded this?
The transatlantic trip that left the team stranded was arranged to mark 250 years of American independence. According to a report from a UK tabloid, the visit formed part of a 13-date, month-long tour across the United States, underscoring the scale of the commitment that has now left the squadron's domestic summer calendar disrupted.
The Red Arrows have previously featured in high-profile national occasions, including a flypast watched by the Royal Family during the Trooping the Colour ceremony marking King Charles's official birthday in June 2026.
What happens next?
According to the London Evening Standard, the team's Atlantic crossing is expected to take place late next week, which will determine when it can rejoin the UK display calendar. The same report names Cromer Carnival on 19 August as an upcoming fixture the squadron is still scheduled to attend, provided the return from Canada goes ahead as planned.
- The Red Arrows were due back at RAF Waddington last week but remain stranded by poor weather over north-eastern Canada
- Performances at Eastbourne, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week have been cancelled
- The US tour that preceded the delay spanned 13 dates over a month, marking 250 years of American independence
- The team's Atlantic crossing is expected late next week, with Cromer Carnival on 19 August still on the schedule
