The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds aerial demonstration team will be grounded after the 2026 season [1].

This decision marks the end of an era for one of Canada's most visible military symbols, affecting tourism in their home base of Moose Jaw and removing a key diplomatic tool from the skies for several years.

The grounding comes as the team retires its fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets [1]. These aircraft have been in service with the Snowbirds since 1971 [2]. Due to the age of the fleet, the aircraft are no longer sustainable for continued flight operations.

Federal officials said the team is expected to return to the air no earlier than 2030 [3]. The transition period will involve the procurement, and integration of new aircraft to replace the retiring Tutors [1].

Despite the upcoming grounding, the team will complete its 2026 schedule. The final season will include aerial demonstrations across Canada and the U.S. [4]. This allows the public a final opportunity to see the iconic Tutor jets in flight before they are permanently retired.

Local residents and business owners in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, said the news is a disappointing blow to regional tourism [5]. The city serves as the home base for the team and relies heavily on the visibility and traffic generated by the squadron's presence.

The timeline for the return of the team remains tied to the delivery of the replacement fleet. While the goal is a return in the early 2030s [3], the exact date depends on the procurement process for the new aircraft.

“The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds aerial demonstration team will be grounded after the 2026 season”

The retirement of the CT-114 Tutor highlights the challenge of maintaining legacy military hardware. By grounding the team for several years, the Canadian government is prioritizing fleet modernization over continuous public visibility. The gap in service until the early 2030s suggests a significant procurement and training cycle for the new aircraft.