As usual this time of year, the skies above Mississauga and Toronto — and other parts of the GTA — will again serve as a backdrop in the coming days for numerous aircraft not often seen in this airspace.

In addition, Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga and, to a lesser degree, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are again serving as home bases to the many jets taking part in the annual Canadian International Air Show over Labour Day weekend at the CNE in Toronto.

Featuring performers that include the beloved Canadian Forces Snowbirds (see video below), who’ll be pausing operations after 2026, in addition to Canada’s CF-18 demonstration team, an RCMP Black Hawk Helicopter and many more, Canada’s largest and longest-running air show is once again expected to “wow” those who gather by the lake in Toronto to watch the aerial action.

The show, in its 77th year and enjoyed by masses of people annually on the shores of Lake Ontario, is also North America’s longest-running air show, organizers point out.

This weekend’s show runs Saturday through Monday from noon until 3:40 p.m. each day. Friday serves as a practice day as the many aircraft and their pilots will fine-tune their skills, also between noon and 3:40 p.m.

The numerous planes taking part in the main event are, as always, stationed at Toronto Pearson Airport and Billy Bishop while in town this week through Monday.

The aircraft will “transport from those airports to the show site,” air show organizers said earlier, adding that “at times they may be flying over” both Toronto and Mississauga.

Leading up to and during the annual aviation spectacle, the airspace over the country’s seventh-largest city is at times dotted with any number of Canadian and American fighter jets impressively streaking across the sky as they tune up for the big event.

However, this year’s show will be missing a major U.S. participant as the American F-16 Demonstration Team said on Tuesday it was pulling out of the event.

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In announcing the U.S. team’s cancellation, air show organizers said in a post to social media “last-minute schedule changes are a reality of real time Air Show operations, and these decisions remain outside of our control.”

Organizers didn’t say why the F-16 squad decided not to participate.

(Photo: Canadian International Air Show)

However, the show will go on with the main attraction taking place overhead the water on Toronto’s lakefront. It can be viewed from the waterfront and CNE grounds as well. 

As the air show unfolds, spectators each year are treated to a number of impressive acrobatic feats and jaw-dropping stunts in the skies above.

First held in 1946, the Canadian International Air Show remains the longest-running air show in North America, attracting over one million people each year, organizers have said.

“The show is part of Toronto’s Labour Day tradition, offering three days of aerial demonstrations, historical tributes and hands-on experiences for all ages,” they added. “It is a jam-packed air display showcasing modern military jets, vintage warbirds, thrilling aerobatics and much more.”

For more details, to see a list of participants and for ticket information, visit the air show’s website.

(Cover photo: Canadian International Air Show)


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