Trump had nothing to do with U.S. fighter jets pulling out of Toronto air show: organizers

There will be no U.S. Air Force F-16s at the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto this weekend, but it seems to have nothing to do with the currently frosty Canada-U.S. relations. Photo by Dan Janisse/The Windsor Star/Postmedia/File

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A “scheduling issue,” and not deepening political friction or American barbs at Canada’s military, is to blame for a U.S. Air Force demo team pulling out of the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto this weekend, organizers said.

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In a social media post earlier this week, organizers of “North America’s longest running air show” held each year on Toronto’s waterfront announced that the U.S. Air Force’s F-16 Viper Demonstration Team would no longer be participating in this year’s show. “Last-minute schedule changes are a reality of real time Air Show operations, and these decisions remain outside of our control,” the CIAS said.

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“Our full remaining lineup, including celebrating the 55th Anniversary of the CF Snowbirds, RCAF CF-18 Hornet and our WWII Heritage Flight, remains set for an incredible weekend” the post read. “Transparency with our fans is a top priority, and we will always keep you informed of any updates.”

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Speculation ran high over whether the abrupt call off was down to the trade war, U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order renaming Lake Ontario “Lake America” or U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s taunts this week that Canada’s navy lacks military firepower. “I mean, we’re not at war with Canada. How are we going to be at war with Canada,” Bessent said on CNBC. “What, are they going to take their two submarines from the Edmonton mall and sic them on us?”

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As reported by the Toronto Sun, organizers said the rhetoric and mocking had “absolutely nothing” to do with the 11th hour schedule adjustment.

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“It was a scheduling issue,” CIAS executive director Lori Duthie told reporters at the air show’s media day. “We work very closely, our Canadian Forces and the United States Air Force across North America.”

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In a statement to the Sun, a spokesperson for the F-16 Viper Demonstration team also blamed a double booking.

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The team “sincerely regrets to announce that, during to a scheduling conflict, they are unable to participate in this weekend’s Canadian International Air Show,” Staff-Sgt. Steven Cardo said. The U.S. Air Force demo team is scheduled to perform at an air show in Batavia, New York Sept. 5 and 6. The Toronto air show takes place Sept. 5 to 7 during the final weekend of the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition).

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“Decisions to withdraw from the scheduled appearances are never made lightly,” Cardo said. “We understand the anticipation surrounding this event and extend our deepest apologies to the air show organizers, our Canadian partners, and the aviation fans who looked forward to our performance.”

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National Post

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