Red Arrows to Fly Over Prague’s Charles Bridge on Friday

Prague can look forward to a special aviation spectacle on Friday: shortly after 2 pm, the British Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows will fly over Charles Bridge. The flypast will take place to mark Czech Air Force Day.

The world-famous RAF Red Arrows aerobatic team will be visible over the centre of the Czech capital on Friday, 18 September. The British pilots will fly their BAE Hawk T1 jets in formation over the Vltava and Charles Bridge.

The flypast commemorates Czech Armed Forces Air Force Day, which is observed annually on 15 September.

“The flypast by the British Red Arrows is more than just an attractive air display. It is a fitting reminder of the traditions, courage and solidarity between allies on which the modern Czech Air Force is founded,” said Major Zuzana Sekaninová, press and information officer at the Czech Air Force Command.

Photo: Vzdušné síly AČR

For spectators, the spectacle above Charles Bridge will last only a few dozen seconds. However, it has involved several weeks of planning, calculations and coordination between the Czech and British sides, as well as air traffic control and other relevant authorities, explained Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Linhart, who is coordinating the flypast.

The formation will approach Prague from the north. Above Václav Havel Airport, the aircraft are expected to form an arrow formation and test their smoke effects. They will then fly along the western edge of the city towards the south.

From there, the aircraft will turn north over the Vltava and are expected to cross Charles Bridge shortly after 2 pm. The route will then continue over Prague’s Kbely district to Leoš Janáček Airport Ostrava in Mošnov. There, the Red Arrows will perform as part of NATO Days and Czech Air Force Days.

During the flypast, the aircraft will fly at an altitude of around 300 metres above the ground. The Czech Armed Forces have warned that the aircraft noise will be intense but short-lived. The precise schedule may still change depending on current weather conditions, air traffic over Prague and the availability of the planned flight routes.

Photo: Red Arrows (RAF)

Red Arrows Have Thrilled Audiences Since Their Formation in 1964

The Red Arrows also visited the Czech capital last year. Flying their red BAE Hawk T1 aircraft, the pilots not only honoured the Czech Air Force but also commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The British Red Arrows aerobatic team was formed in 1964 and traditionally performs with nine red aircraft. It is one of the world’s best-known aerobatic teams and is renowned for its precise, close-formation flying. All of its pilots have extensive operational experience flying supersonic jets such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.