Blink-182 Not Flying To England?

Blink-182 Not Flying To England?

Blink-182 are not thought to be flying into Britain when they play the Reading and Leeds festivals.

The band were announced as one of three headliners of the UK festivals, which surprised many fans who thought they wouldn't be able to make it after drummer Travis Barker was involved in a plane crash in 2008, leaving him with a great fear of flying.

However, organiser of the festival, Melvin Benn said he has pulled out all the stops to ensure they are able to play at the shows.

He said: "With Blink-182, no-one thought they'd play any European festivals because of Travis' plane crash, and logistically it's proving to be one of those things involving boats and planes. They've been at the top of the forums for a long, long time so it's a real plus for us."

Travis sufferEd Burns in the accident and initially said he'd never fly again, although he later revised his stance, saying he'd always be afraid of flying following the incident in South Carolina which left the plane's two pilots and two other passengers dead.

Benn also said he will be keeping a keen eye on another headliner, Guns N' Roses, to make sure they keep to their allotted stage time this year, after they famously took to the Leeds stage in 2002 after their set was supposed to have ended.

He said: "I think I'm going to tell them they're playing the day before. It's the easiest thing really. The stories of Axl Rose turning up onstage late are the thing of legend but I'm led to believe he's got a new manager and I've been given wonderful assurances it won't be an issue this time."

The Reading and Leeds festivals, which will also be headlined by Arcade Fire, will take place on two sites between August 27-29 in England.