Its more than time for some fresh thinking re: Red Arrows. Watch the public at air shows and I think you will find they are not that interested. Too much ho-hum. They are no longer the must-wait-for climax of air shows (public usually watch at a distance from the car park).
Living near the Bournemouth seafront as I do, I can testify to the gridlocked carnage the Reds bring every summer as several square miles around the pier grind to a halt (especially the out-of-towners who think they'll be able to pull up and park at the pier ten minutes before showtime). The massed array of small vessels at sea under the display area is a sight to behold; I've not noticed any decrease in popularity over the years.
Mind you, I can't comment about their relative rankings at airshows, I haven't been to a "jet" one for a while, warbirds are more my thing these days.
I agree that XH558 may well be a big draw next year, if the
PR is handled well!