RIAT 2024 sees hundreds queuing at Swindon Bus Station

The three-day air show is expected to draw in 150,000 spectators for its 2024 event, and many of those attending have been encouraged to travel via public transport.

But with a mini-heatwave predicted for the first day on Friday, July 19, hundreds of visitors from across the UK travelled to Swindon in 25+ degrees heat to then catch the Air Tattoo shuttle bus leaving from Swindon Bus Station.

On Friday morning, queues stretched from the station along Milford Street and then circled around several nearby buildings in a snake formation, all while part of the bus station remained cordoned off for a separate ongoing police investigation.

We spoke to just some of the visitors withstanding the heat about why they were so excited for RIAT 2024.

The queue at Swindon Bus Station on Friday morning. (Image: Newsquest)

"We used to come to see it a lot but we haven't been since we came with my brother 10-12 years ago," said Alison, who stood in line with her partner Ronny and several friends.

"I sadly lost my brother last year and so we wanted to come in remembrance of him."

Her partner Ronny added: "I'm looking forward to the B52, and I've had the Eagles overhead near my house so that's been exciting.

"Anything stealth really, that's what I'm looking forward to."

For Louise and Heather from Bristol, who were first-timers to the Fairford air show, this event was all about their teenage daughters April and Rebecca.

"We've never been before but we actually wanted to come see it because the two girls have just got work experience at the Ministry of Defence so they wanted to see the planes," Heather told the Adver.

Teenager April who stood in line at Swindon Bus Station added: "I'm looking forward to seeing the Lightning.

"That's just the one that everyone has been talking about and it looks really cool."

Although queues had largely cleared at Swindon Bus Station by 10.45am, the event continued to cause disruption on the roads throughout Friday morning.

One commuter travelling on a coach on the A419 Southbound reported traffic being incredibly slow south of Cirencester.

"It's part of the traffic management for RIAT," he said.

"Not helped by one lane being closed just before the junction for Cricklade."

Long queues and traffic is expected to continue for the next several days while the event is ongoing.