The Snowbirds Alumni Association launched a campaign this month urging the Canadian government to keep the national aerobatic team flying [1, 2].
The effort comes as the team faces a scheduled temporary grounding at the end of the 2026 season [1]. A prolonged pause in operations could impact the team's visibility and operational readiness as it transitions to a new fleet of aircraft.
The team is currently awaiting the delivery of CT-157 Siskin II aircraft [1]. These new planes are intended to replace the aging CT-114 Tutor jets that the team has used for decades [2].
While the alumni association is pushing for continuous flight operations, other reports suggest a more precarious future. Opposition MPs said the Liberal government will not fund the Snowbirds in 2027 [3]. This has led to rumors that the display team may cease flying entirely after 2026 [3].
Safety concerns have also played a role in recent operations. One Snowbird member died, and another was injured in a crash in British Columbia [4]. Following that incident, the military lifted a grounding order for the team, although some restrictions remained in place [4].
The alumni association's campaign seeks to ensure the team remains a national symbol without a gap in service. The group is calling for a transition plan that avoids the scheduled grounding at the end of the 2026 season [1, 2].
“The team is awaiting delivery of new CT-157 Siskin II aircraft to replace the aging CT-114 Tutor jets.”
The conflict between the alumni association and government funding projections highlights a critical transition period for Canada's military aviation image. If the 2027 funding gap is not bridged, the transition to the CT-157 Siskin II may result in a permanent or multi-year disappearance of the team from public view, rather than a brief technical pause.
