The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, performed a flypast with a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair to celebrate the airline’s 25th birthday yesterday, Sunday 28 June 2009.

Led by Red 1, Wing Commander Jas Hawker, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows, formed the world-famous ‘Diamond Nine’ with the Virgin Atlantic aircraft – aptly named ‘Birthday Girl’ – as a crowd of over 60,000 watched in amazement.

The Red Arrows released iconic red, white and blue smoke from their nine Hawk aircraft to mark the special occasion as they performed the flypast with ‘Birthday Girl’, skippered by Virgin Atlantic Chief Boeing Pilot Geoff Andreasen at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair.

Wing Commander Jas Hawker said:

“The team were very proud to celebrate the 25th birthday of Virgin Atlantic at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair to highlight the success of a world-renowned great British company. We hope the many thousands of visitors to the show enjoyed the unique spectacle.”

Richard Branson, President of Virgin Atlantic, said:

“This is a welcome and valued honour for our 25th birthday celebrations and I am very proud that one of our fleet of Boeing 747s has performed the flypast at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair with the world-famous Red Arrows team.”

Colin Hitchins, Chief Executive of Biggin Hill International Air Fair, said:

“We are delighted that the celebratory Virgin Atlantic 25th birthday flypast with the Red Arrows took place at the Biggin Hill International Air Fair.

“Not only was the flypast a highlight of this year’s event, it rates very highly amongst the best moments in the show’s 47-year history.”

The Red Arrows are renowned throughout the world, acting as ambassadors for Great Britain when displaying overseas. They also support UK industry by demonstrating the capabilities of British equipment and expertise.

The Royal Air Force has some 3,000 servicemen and women deployed overseas on operations at any one time. Many of the Red Arrows’ pilots and support staff have recently returned from Afghanistan and Iraq and many will be temporarily sent on operations overseas during their time with the Red Arrows.

As soon as they leave the team, all will return to duties which directly support the Royal Air Force’s operational commitments around the world.

Source: RAF