WALES AIRSHOW: Full line-up confirmed for this weekend — but no Red Arrows this year

The Wales Airshow is back over Swansea Bay this weekend, with a full flying programme confirmed — but this year’s crowds won’t see the Red Arrows.

The RAF’s famous display team is spending the summer touring the United States, marking 250 years of American independence, and their tour clashes with the Swansea dates. They won’t appear at either day of the show.

Their absence aside, the free two-day event on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July still has one of its biggest line-ups in years, with the bay once again turned into a natural grandstand for the displays overhead.

Topping the bill is the RAF Typhoon, the fast jet whose thunderous, high-speed routine is one of the loudest and most powerful displays on the circuit.

The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight returns too, this year bringing the C-47 Dakota — a D-Day veteran transport aircraft — flying alongside the Spitfire and Hurricane.

There’s a strong naval thread this year. Navy Wings pairs the WWII-era Fairey Swordfish biplane with the Cold War Westland Wasp anti-submarine helicopter — two aircraft we previewed earlier this month.

Also flying is the Rolls-Royce Spitfire PS853, a photo-reconnaissance version that flew unarmed in the war, relying on speed and its Griffon engine to outrun the enemy.

The AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers — the world’s only formation wing-walking team, performing since 1984 — bring the crowd-pleasing spectacle of performers strapped to the top wing of biplanes in flight.

Aerobatic thrills come from the Jet Pitts, a heavily modified biplane flown by British pilot Rich Goodwin, and the Firebirds, two light aircraft flying wingtip-to-wingtip through synchronised rolls and loops.

Rounding out the flying are the Strikemaster Pair of ex-military jets, the RAF Tutor display, the Gazelle Squadron helicopters and OTTO the Schweizer 300C.

On the ground, Swansea Promenade fills with attractions from 10am both days — funfair rides, live music, food and drink stalls, virtual reality experiences and family entertainment.

New this year, the action carries on into the evening on the Saturday with Wales Airshow Afterburn — and free buses will run until 11pm that night so families can stay for it.

The council says the airshow draws more than 200,000 visitors each year, making it one of the biggest free events in the region and a significant boost for local businesses.

Cllr Andrew Williams, Swansea Council’s cabinet member for development, said the airshow was “one of the highlights of Swansea’s summer” and promised “something for everyone”, from the displays overhead to the attractions on the ground.

Visitors are being urged to plan ahead — major road closures and parking bans are in force along the seafront from Friday — and parking can be pre-booked through the official site, walesnationalairshow.com, which also has an upgrade option: the premium Flight Deck, run with Cardiff Airport, offering a dedicated viewing area and seating.