Saskatoon spectators seize chance to see one last flyover by the Snowbirds

A quick stop in Saskatoon today may have been the last chance to see the Snowbirds' Tutor jets before they begin retirement.

The Snowbirds made a brief stop in Saskatoon Tuesday, giving hundreds of spectators what could be their last chance to see the iconic Tutor jets before they’re retired.

After a quick flyover, the team made a fuel stop at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, where a large crowd gathered to greet them.

For some people, the visit brought back memories.

“It was really awesome. My uncle used to take me to the air show, and we saw the very first airshow in Moose Jaw, so it brings back a lot of memories,” Linda Olbort said.

“It was incredible. It was something I saw growing up and it was really important that we brought our kids out to see it too,” Megan Lepoudre said.

On their way to Saskatoon, the Snowbirds made several low-level passes over communities along Highway 11 to pay tribute to fallen veterans and those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. It also gave some spectators their first chance to see the team in person.

“It’s quite neat to actually see it in person for the first time, because this might be the last time I’ll see it,” Tyler Spicer said.

In May, the federal government announced the Snowbirds will be temporarily grounded after the 2026 season until their aging Tutor jets are replaced by the CT-157 Siskin II.

For Capt. Thomas Thornton, the pilot of Snowbird 9, the Tutor’s retirement brings mixed emotions.

“I’ve flown this airplane for five years now, so I have an attachment to it, but you know, it’s time,” he said.

Following the announcement, Brian Swidrovich, an organizer for the Canada Remembers Air Show, worked to arrange a last-minute stop in Saskatoon.

“It warms my heart quite frankly, that the team agreed to do this because last second changes are not traditionally happening in the Snowbird Program,” Swidrovich said. “It took some discussion and they agreed.”

Meanwhile, a petition has been launched urging Ottawa to reconsider. Some spectators at Tuesday’s event also signed postcards to the prime minister in hopes of keeping the Snowbirds in the sky.

For now, the team continues its tour, with Edmonton next on the schedule.