THE iconic Vulcan bomber will not appear at RIAT this year.

Chief executive of the Vulcan to the Sky Trust Robert Pleming said he was “deeply disappointed” the aircraft would not be appearing at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Fairford this July.

He said that RIAT organisers waited to see which other aircraft and display teams would be attending the air show, before deciding whether or not to invite the XH558.

The Vulcan team was offered a static position for the aircraft with a nearby site for trading but members decided that it would be best not to accept, in case visitors expecting to see the XH558 flying complained when they realised it would not be going up in the air.

The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has reassured supports that, while the aircraft will not be on display at RIAT this July, it will be at other displays later this year.