ORGANISERS of the Royal International Air Tattoo are urging spectators to leave plenty of time for their journey to the airfield this weekend.

The air show, at RAF Fairford, takes place from Friday to Sunday with thousands of people expected to attend over the course of the three days.

Saturday’s show has sold out but there are still a limited number of tickets remaining for tomorrow and Sunday.

Richard Arquati, spokesperson for RIAT, said final preparations are going well but urged people to organise their transport to and from the airfield.

“Everything is looking good, the aircraft have started arriving from around the world and we’re looking forward to an exciting Air Tattoo,” he said.

“The advice I’d give to anyone travelling down, however, is leave plenty of time to get here. Make sure you don’t leave home without a ticket. Friday is sold out but there are a few still remaining for Friday and Sunday.”

The shuttle bus service from Swindon bus station to RAF Fairford runs from 7am to noon on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and coming back, it runs from 2pm to 6pm on Friday, and 2pm to 7.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

If you are travelling to the air tattoo by car, use postcode GL7 4EG. When you are near to the air show, you will see colour coded AA road signs, at which point you should follow these instead of your sat nav.

Traffic from the North East should approach via Burford and Lechlade, along the A417 and then through Whelford village into the Red car parks. Traffic on the A420 should avoid approaching Lechlade from the South East.

Traffic from the South and South East on the M4 should travel north along the A419(T) (exit M4 at Junction 15) then, after Cricklade, depart left onto the C124 towards Kempsford and into the Blue car parks.

Those drivers coming from the West, South West and Bristol on the M4, should exit at Junction 17 and travel north towards Malmesbury, turning north east on to the B4040 towards Minety and then north on the B4696 towards Ashton Keynes (Cotswold Water Park). Traffic passes over the A419 joining the Cirencester Road south bound through Latton.

Traffic travelling from the North West (M5 Junc-tion 11A and Chelt-enham) should follow the A417 south, exiting at the Burford Road junction and joining the A417 eastbound towards Fairford. Traffic will be directed through Meysey Hampton into the Green car parks.

Traffic travelling from the West should follow the Cirencester ring road to the south of the town and use the old A419 past South Cerney airfield. Carry straight on at the first roundabout and follow the road parallel to the A419. At the second roundabout turn left, over the A419 and bear right towards Latton. Turn left to Down Ampney and follow signs to the Green car parks.

Richard added: “Additional overflow routes also exist to relieve congestion on all the main routes. Drivers should however be aware that once in the vicinity of RAF Fairford they will be directed onto the designated Air Tattoo routes as agreed with the police.”

l To get your hands on the final tickets remaining, visit www.airtattoo.com.