British Columbia’s Abbotsford International Airshow, an annual event normally held in August of each year, has now been officially cancelled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. This year is meant to see the opening of a time capsule placed on the airport grounds in 1970 on the occasion of the air show being designated Canada’s National Air Show by Prime Minister Trudeau, who then placed the time capsule in its current spot outside the airport offices (PM Pierre Trudeau, that is).

At this time, it is not known whether the time capsule opening will still go ahead this year, or whether it will be postponed until next year’s air show.

Quebec’s Bagotville air show, held every two years and most recently held in 2019, means no show was scheduled for this year. The Bagotville show has recently eclipsed Abbotsford in number of attendees. The Canadian International Air Show, scheduled for September 5 to 7 in Toronto, has already been cancelled. It normally runs concurrently in Ontario’s capital with the Canadian National Exhibition, also a victim of COVID-19 pandemic cancellations.

Not yet announced is whether a new air show will go ahead – Volaria. Scheduled to take place on September 24 to 27 at Montreal’s Mirabel airport (CYMX), the event is meant to showcase all things aviation in and around Montreal.

In many cases flyovers will take the place of cancelled shows, although not necessarily on the same dates. An example of event modifications is the cross-Canada tour of the Snowbirds, Operation Inspiration, currently underway coast to coast.

Photo by Gustavo Corujo