Royal Air Force Red Arrows will make history at RIAT 2025 with 100% sustainable fuel display
July 9, 2025
The Royal Air Force display team, the Red Arrows, will make aviation history at the forthcoming Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), as the display will be powered entirely by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
The performances will be the first time a national aerobatic team has not only flown on SAF, but also used a biofuel in the production of the iconic vapour trails.
Usually created by injecting a mixture of diesel and dye into the hot exhaust of the Hawk, for RIAT the Red Arrows will use a hydrotreated vegetable oil, a renewable biofuel, to paint the skies.
It follows the Red Arrows’ first 100% SAF flight in June, as part of King Charles’ official birthday celebrations.
The RAF pushes forward with sustainable aviation fuel
While civilian aviation led much of the early work on sustainable aviation fuel, air forces around the world are now taking steps to modernise fleets and reduce carbon footprints. It’s not just about saving the planet, but also delivers fuel resiliency in a time of geopolitical instability.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been particularly proactive on sustainability. In 2022, it flew a Voyager, the military version of the A330, on 100% SAF in a world-first for the type.
Then, in 2023, in conjunction with the Sustainable Skies World Summit, a Voyager powered by 43% SAF successfully completed an air-to-air refuelling flight from Brize Norton.
In 2023, the RAF conducted mid-air refuelling of both the Typhoon and the C-130 Hercules, and the Typhoon first flew a display on 100% SAF at RIAT in 2024.
The Typhoon is set to display using 100% SAF again this year. Kate McKinley, Director of People and Sustainability at Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises, said:
“In 2024 we were lucky enough to secure the RAF Typhoon’s first public display on SAF and being able to continue the Typhoon for another year and add the Red Arrows is great for us as an event.”
