The Canadian Snowbirds air demonstration team will retire its CT-114 Tutor jets following the 2026 performance season [1], [2].
This transition marks the end of an era for one of Canada's most visible military symbols. The grounding creates a significant gap in aerial demonstrations, as the team will remain inactive for several years while the government secures a modern replacement fleet.
The team will conclude its final operations with a 40-minute air show [1] on Aug. 4, 2026 [1]. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. [1] over the Dallas Road Waterfront in Victoria, British Columbia [2], [3].
Officials announced the grounding from CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan [3]. The decision stems from the age of the current fleet, which has been in service since 1971 [2]. The CT-114 Tutor jets have served the team for 50 years [1] and are now considered too old for continued safe operation [2], [4].
"The Snowbirds will be grounded after the 2026 season," Graham Richardson said [5].
Defence Minister Anita Anand said the government remains committed to the team's mission to inspire Canadians. She said that a new generation of aircraft will take over in the early 2030s [4]. Replacement aircraft are not expected to be ready until at least 2030 [4].
Mike Harper, editor of Energetic City, said the Tutor jets will be decommissioned after the 2026 season [2]. The retirement of these aircraft follows decades of international and domestic tours that promoted Canadian aviation, and military precision.
Until the new fleet arrives, the skies over Canada's major cities will lack the signature formation flying of the Snowbirds, a vacancy that will last for several years.
“The Snowbirds will be grounded after the 2026 season.”
The retirement of the CT-114 Tutor jets highlights the challenge of maintaining legacy military hardware. By grounding the team until at least 2030, the Canadian government is prioritizing safety over continuity, accepting a multi-year absence of its premier aerial ambassadors to avoid the risks associated with operating 55-year-old aircraft.
