THE Royal International Air Tattoo is expected to attract enormous crowds this weekend – but what happens if it is cancelled at short notice?

Stormy weather could seriously disrupt the military-themed event at RAF Fairford.

If that does happen, the organisers have a policy in place to deal with postponements and cancellations, which is explained in a clause of the ticket and entry terms and conditions.

Section C points out that, if weather or other circumstances require flying to be curtailed or restricted, aircraft would then be taxied where possible and other exhibits and displays will be available instead.

But, for the avoidance of doubt, bad weather grounding certain aircraft is not considered to be a cancellation of RIAT 2023, and so the rest of the cancellation policy would not take effect.

In more extreme situations, the organisers reserve the right at any time to cancel or postpone RIAT 2023 or to cancel, postpone or vary any part of the air show due to any event outside of the reasonable control of the organisers affecting the performance of its obligations or running of the Air Tattoo.

These include: unavailability of the venue or participants, civil commotion, riot, invasion, Royal mourning, national mourning, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack, war (whether declared or not), natural disasters, adverse weather conditions, pandemic or epidemic or any law or action taken by a government or public authority.

RIAT’s management team would then contact ticketholders as soon as reasonably possible to notify them of any cancellation or rescheduling. It may be necessary to cancel the event and announce rescheduled dates on short notice.

The organisers may offer ticket holders tickets to a substitute or rescheduled event, the option to donate the ticket price as a charitable donation as an alternative to receiving a refund or offer a refund.

Refunds are paid within 14 days beginning on the date on which the ticketholders confirm to the organisers that they wish to receive a refund (or if no substitute or rescheduled event is offered, 14 days of confirmation that no substitute or rescheduled event will be offered).

If the organisers cannot make payment of refunds within these periods due to events outside of the reasonable control of the organisers, customers will be kept informed and payments will be made within a reasonable time.

The organisers have no further liability to any ticketholder in relation to any other costs or expenses, including the costs of any travel, accommodation, or other arrangements made in connection with RIAT 2023.