Canadian International Air Show set to soar this weekend

The 76th edition of the Canadian International Air Show is about to take flight.

Article content

The annual Labour Day weekend tradition will feature an array of mesmerizing performances, including the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the United States Air Force’s F-35 Demo Team.

Article content

Also appearing will be the beloved CF-18 Hornet fighter jet.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds team lead Maj. Brent Handy (right) and Master Corporal Justin Shantidatt, deputy crew chief, at the Canadian International Air Show media day at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. The Canadian International Air Show runs from Saturday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 1 at the CNE. ERNEST DOROSZUK/TORONTO SUN

“It’s like nothing I’ve experience before,” Royal Canadian Air Force pilot Capt. Andrew “AFT” Chen said during Thursday’s media preview, recalling the first time he lit the afterburners of the Hornet.
Chen will be bringing that enthusiasm to the air show during a tactical demonstration of the CF-18’s capabilities.

Also on display during Thursday’s media sneak peek was the RCAF CH-146 Griffon helicopter used in search-and-rescue missions, and two of the iconic Snowbirds jets.

The air show runs from Saturday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 1 at the CNE.