Airbus BelugaXL made its Air Tattoo debut on the Saturday, performing two flypasts. One of the special guests of this year was actor Tom Cruise. RIAT 2023 RIAT 2023 is due to be staged from 14–16 July 2023. The theme for RIAT 2023 is SKYTANKER23, focusing on aircraft capable of performing air-to-air refuelling as 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the first air-to-air refuel. Incidents The Mid-air Collision at IAT 1993 On July 24, 1993, two MiG-29 Fulcrums of the Russian Air Force collided in mid-air and crashed away from the public. No one was hurt. After ejecting, the two pilots landed safely. Investigators later determined that pilot error was the cause, after one pilot did a reverse loop and disappeared into the clouds, the other one lost sight of his wingman and aborted the routine. 2002 Italian Air Force accident In 2002 a G-222 of the Italian Air Force made a hard landing after demonstrating a steep descent approach, also known as the "Sarajevo approach", developed for the airbridge for supplying Sarajevo during its blockade in the Bosnian War. After initial touchdown the aircraft bounced up and came back heavily on the nose wheel, which then collapsed. Emergency services were soon at the scene as the crew strolled from the stricken aircraft. References External links Official website Photos from RIAT 2007 BBC features on the Royal International Air Tattoo, past and present Airshows in the United Kingdom Military tattoos Annual events in the United Kingdom Events in Gloucestershire Fairford Recurring events established in 1971 1971 establishments in England