May 2, 2025
2 mins read

Red Arrows, Second World War-era aircraft to fly over London 

The Red Arrows, military and Second World War-era aircraft will fly over the capital on Bank Holiday Monday – the first of a four-day celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day  

A military flypast to celebrate 80 years since VE Day is planned to take place on 5 May. On the first of four days of national celebrations to mark the end of the Second World War in Europe, the skies over central London will be left red, white and blue as the Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows soar over the capital. 

It will take place after a military procession from Whitehall to Buckingham Palace involving more than 1,300 members of the UK Armed Forces, uniformed services, and young people. 

Military aircraft, including the Voyager transport aircraft, a P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft, Typhoon, and F-35 fighter jets, will also be involved in the flypast, as well as historic Second World War-era aircraft. 

The flypast will reach The Mall and Buckingham Palace at around 1.45pm on Bank Holiday Monday, but you do not have to be in London to catch a glimpse. 

The planes are due to go over parts of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Cheshire and Oxfordshire. 

The flypast route has been split into zones, each with a time slot when airspace is restricted. The following is the period when the planes are due to be overhead: 

Area A: North Sea, Suffolk and Norfolk, between 10.45am – 1.45pm 

Area B: East Suffolk (Saxmundham) and Suffolk (East Bergholt), between 12.15pm – 1.10pm 

Area C: Suffolk (East Bergholt) and Essex (Colchester), between 12.20pm – 1.10pm 

Area D: Essex (Colchester and Witham), between 12.20pm – 1.10pm 

Area E: Essex (Witham) and London City, between 12.25pm – 1.10pm 

Area F: London City and London Heathrow, between 12.25pm – 1.10pm 

Area G: Buckinghamshire (Denham) and Cheshire (Halton), between 12.45pm – 1.25pm 

Area H: Cheshire (Halton) and Oxfordshire (Brize), between 12.45pm – 1.25pm 

Area I: North west London, between 12.45pm – 1.25pm 

Rehearsing for the flypast on 29 April, the RAF said aircraft including Typhoons, A400M Atlas, C-17 Globemaster and Rivet Joint practiced formations. 

They flew over RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, with the site’s College Hall standing in for Buckingham Palace. 

Flypast mission commander Andrew Watson said he expects the actual flypast to be a “good spectacle for the nation and Commonwealth”. 

Mark Jackson, the flypast senior responsible officer, said: “I was reviewing the flypast from a safety and execution perspective, ensuring the timings, spacings, and overall structure were on track for the special VE Day 80 celebrations. “It’s a great honour to be part of the events to remember those who served our nation 80 years ago.” 

Two-minute national silence  

A two-minute national silence will be held on Thursday at 12 noon, to remember and thank those who fought for our freedom. 

The silence will be marked by all UK Government departments, which will also fly the Union Flag at full-mast. Other organisations are invited to follow suit if they wish. 

Previous Story

UK, France in talks to recognise Palestine   

Next Story

Mortgage lending at four-year high 

Latest from -Top News

Harvard sues Trump over foreign students ban

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration after being barred from enrolling international students, marking its second legal challenge in a month against what it describes as politically

Pakistan may face stricter IMF terms

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) will undertake its next funding review for Pakistan in the second half of 2025, with 11 new conditions now attached to the continuation of its Extended Fund

Indian diaspora in Japan backs Operation Sindoor

Members of the Indian diaspora in Japan have strongly endorsed Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted military response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and

WHO adopts Global Pandemic Agreement

The agreement seeks to boost international coordination and ensure equitable access to life-saving tools during future pandemics, while reaffirming respect for national sovereignty in public health decisions In a move aimed at
Go toTop

Don't Miss

India-Britain to exchange best practices in law, justice

The Joint Consultative Committee was formed followed by an MoU

Covid not gone, expect uptick in cases, says Fauci

According to Fauci, who is also the White House chief