Canadian Forces Snowbirds will not perform at CNE Air Show due to ‘operational pause’

It’s a CNE highlight for many, but the Canadian Forces Snowbirds won’t be performing at this year’s Canadian International Air Show (CIAS).

An announcement from CIAS on Friday evening said the Snowbirds team remains on operational hiatus following an accident involving one of its Tutor aircraft on Aug. 2 at the Fort St. John airport in British Columbia.

No one was hurt when the pilot made a hard landing, but it was enough for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to order an « operational pause » while they investigate.

The CIAS announced on Friday that the break remains in place, meaning the team cannot fly at the CNE.

“We had all hoped that the break would be lifted in time for the team to participate in our 73rd CIAS, but work to identify the cause of the incident continues,” an email from CIAS reads.

“Team safety is of the utmost importance and we are respecting the ongoing RCAF airworthiness process and flight safety investigation.

The show will continue without the Snowbirds.

The remaining lineup includes the US Air Force F-35 Demonstration Team, Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team, and Canadian Forces SkyHawks, among others.

It takes place from September 3 to 5 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

With files from The Canadian Press

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