Dismay Noted As WX-Stranded Red Arrows Pull Out Of UK Air Shows

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) Aerobatics team the Red Arrows have pulled out of a number of key summer events due to the team being stranded in Canada, according to the BBC.

The RAF's aerobatics team were due to return to RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire last week following its tour of the U.S., but were grounded due to poor weather predicted for north-eastern regions of Canada.

In an update, the team said it now anticipated continuing its multi-leg journey back to the U.K. next week.

The BBC reported the planes, which are unable to refuel mid-flight, were due to make stops in Canada, Greenland and Iceland before returning to the U.K. In a social media post, the RAF Red Arrows said: "Crossing the North Atlantic with the single-engined Hawk, which cannot air-to-air refuel, requires extremely careful planning and the right conditions."

The team had been due to appear at Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week. The mayor of Lyme Regis, Philip Evans, said he was "distraught" the appearance could not go ahead.

Wing Commander Sasha Nash, officer commanding the RAF aerobatic team, said: "We are very sorry the Red Arrows cannot participate at these events and we are grateful to organizers and communities for their understanding.

"Every effort is being made to ensure the Red Arrows can recommence the busy display season as soon as possible.

"However, safety is the only factor that will determine the timing of the team's return from Canada."