2010s – CF Snowbirds at the Canadian International Air Show (The Ex)
The Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) has been taking place at the CNE since 1949. Highly skilled pilots have been performing thrilling aerobatics over Lake Ontario while crowds watched in amazement.
The National Aircraft Show
Before the Canadian International Air Show, the National Aircraft Show was at the CNE. In 1928, its inaugural year, pilots from Canada and the US dazzled spectators over the 14-day Exhibition. There was parachute jumping on the waterfront and breathtaking trick flying. The Aircraft Building (formerly Machinery Hall) displayed many small to large flying machines.
The Canadian International Air Show and Its History
1972 – The Air Show at the CNE from Lake Shore Blvd W, looking over Lake Ontario (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 78)
The CIAS began in 1946 at the De Havilland Canada manufacturing plant, at what was known then as the De Havilland Airport (today’s Downsview Airport). The air show attracted overflow crowds and moved to Exhibition Place three years later. It became a regular feature of The CNE in 1956. The world-class display showcases the advancements in aeronautical technology, various types of aircraft, including high-performance jets and vintage aircraft, as well as precision and stunt flying.
The Canadian International Air Show regularly features Canadian military aircraft alongside private and civilian performers. A few popular military teams include the CF Snowbirds and Blue Angels. Plus, there have been many notable appearances by other Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Air Force, US Air Force and US Navy aircraft. The skies over the lake have also seen the Red Arrows, Breitling Jet Team, British Airways Concorde, search and rescue displays, parachuting, heritage aircraft and much more.
Over the years, there has been opposition to the air show, not only due to the noise levels but also to the sound of the fighter jets for those who have experienced the trauma of war. Because of the dangers of performing precision manoeuvres and stunts, there have been accidents related to and during the air show.
Labour Day Weekend at the CNE
The air show takes place on Labour Day weekend in the skies over Exhibition grounds and Lake Ontario. See the Canadian International Air Show for details.
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Canadian International Air Show Photos
August 31, 2025 – The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flying in a precise nine-plane line abreast formation over the Exhibition Place wind turbine during the Canadian International Air Show2010s – Jet Team performing in the Canadian International Air Show (The Ex)September 3, 2022 – Northern Stars Aeroteam performing at the Canadian International Air Show 1950s – Canadian International Air Show at The Ex (CNE Archives)1959 – Air Force Pilots at the Canadian International Air Show in front of the Princess Margaret Fountain (CNE Archives)1972 – The Air Show at the CNE from Lake Shore Blvd W, looking over Lake Ontario (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 78)August 31, 2024 – The Red Arrows fly a majestic formation of nine British Aerospace Hawk T.1 aircraft with their unique red, white and blue smoke trailing behind against the skies over the CNE. Established in 1964, the Red Arrows are the official Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team, headquartered at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, EnglandAugust 31, 2024 – Ministry of Natural Resources – CL-415 Water Bomber flying over the Ontario Place West Channel during the Canadian International Air Show at the CNEAugust 31, 2019 – Canadian International Air Show 1953 – Royal Canadian Navy helicopter at the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 536, Item 106)2010s – The Canadian International Air Show at the CNE (The Ex)1919 – Junkers J-1, aka the “Sheet Metal Donkey” at the Canadian National Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 4544)September 3, 2022 – Northern Stars Aeroteam performing at the Canadian International Air Show September 3, 2022 – British Columbia Flag at the Canadian International Air Show 1974 – A rear view of an airplane and the Zipper and Alpine Way rides in the distance at the CNE Midway (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 95, Item 27)August 31, 2024 – Redline Air Shows, piloted by father and son team Ken and Austin Rider, showcasing their perfect precision in their Van’s RV-8 aircrafts during the Canadian International Air Show at the CNE. Along with intricate formation flying, the duo also performs adrenaline-rushing manoeuvres, including synchronized rolls and loops 1972 – A Crowd along Lakeshore Blvd waiting for the air show with Ontario Place in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 57)2010s – Breitling Jet Team at the Canadian International Air Show at the CNE (The Ex)1959 – Royal Canadian Air Force jet aircraft at The Ex (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 9)September 3, 2022 – Canadian International Air Show 1961 – Canadian International Air Show at The Ex (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 29)1972 – Parachutes landing during Air Show at the CNE, Ontario Place is in the background (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 67)1959 – A Spitfire aircraft on display at Exhibition Stadium & Grandstand during the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 11)1957 – A re-fueling demonstration at the CNE air show (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 2)1928 – The front of the Exhibition’s Aircraft Building (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 14683)1972 – Lake Shore Blvd and helicopters in the Canadian International Air Show, at the Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 70)2010s – CF Snowbirds at the Canadian International Air Show at the CNE (The Ex)1958 – Canadian International Air Show program cover (CNE Archives)August 31, 2025 – Mike and Samantha Tryggvason, a Canadian husband-and-wife duo, perform an impressive barnstorming-style wingwalking act using their modified Grumman AgCat ‘Showcat’ agricultural aircraft during the Canadian International Air Show. Samantha is the wingwalker while Mike pilots the plane1957 – Royal Canadian Air Force Rescue helicopter over Lake Ontario during the CNE (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 96, Item 4)August 31, 2024 – Four of the nine Canadian Forces Snowbirds make the shape of a heart with trails of smoke over Lake Ontario during The Ex.
Formally known as the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), this unit stands as one of the largest and most self-sufficient divisions in the RCAF. Since 1971, they have proudly represented Canada as the foremost Air Demonstration team, skillfully maneuvering the iconic Canadair CT-114 Tutor. Comprised of approximately 80 men and women, the squadron calls 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan its home base1928 – US Air Squadron in flight at the Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 14702)September 3, 2022 – Canadian International Air Show1907 – Air Show at the Canadian National Exhibition (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 1461)2010s – CF Snowbirds at the Canadian International Air Show (The Ex)1960s – A display at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE Archives)August 31, 2025 – Northern Stars Aeroteam performed their thrilling precision routine over Lake Ontario during the Canadian International Air Show, piloted by Mario Hamel, Todd Farrell, and Greg Hume-Powell in three Pitts Special S-2 biplanesSeptember 4, 1928 – The US air squadron in flight at the CNE. Notice the Fort Rouillé Monument on the lower left side (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 1471)August 31, 2025 – The incredible CF Snowbirds flying their CT-114 Tutor jets in a nine-plane big diamond formation over Lake Ontario during the Canadian International Air ShowAugust 31, 2024 – The perfect formation of all nine Snowbirds soaring high over the Canadian National Exhibition grounds during the thrilling Canadian International Air Show. The Snowbirds are renowned as the most iconic and recognized symbol of the Canadian Armed ForcesSeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNESeptember 6, 2026 – Canadian International Air Show at the CNE2022 – The heritage plaque reads:
Canadian International Air Show
“Human fascination with flight has made air shows popular since the early days of aviation. Toronto was the site of numerous air shows as it developed into a centre of air transportation and aircraft manufacturing in the early twentieth century. The Canadian International Air Show originated in 1946 when the National Aeronautical Association of Canada attracted overflow crowds to a show at De Havilland Airport in Downsview. Staged annually thereafter, the air show moved to Exhibition Place in 1949 and became a regular feature of the Canadian National Exhibition in 1956. Here it developed into a world class exhibition featuring diverse types of aircraft, precision and stunt flying, and aeronautical technology.”
Ontario Heritage Foundation, an agency of the Government of Ontario
Located north of the Lake Shore Blvd W Bailey Bridge and behind the Fort Rouillé Monument at Exhibition Place
