The Alberta International Airshow wants to celebrate the aerospace industry by opening doors of opportunity and recognizing Edmonton’s history and position as a global aerial centre. Behind every pilot, countless people continue to make aviation a remarkable mode of transportation, from engineers, mechanics, and technicians to flight attendants and planners.
Histories
Edmonton aviation history traces back to Blatchford Field, more commonly known as the Edmonton City Centre Airport. Not only was the airport considered Canada’s Gateway to the North, it was also one of the busiest during World War II due to its strategic location for allied troops en route to Europe. While this airport was closed in 2013, its historic double-double hangar (the last remaining of its kind in the world) now houses the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Edmonton itself continues to be a world centre for aerial traffic.
Richard Skermer, President and CEO of the Alberta International Airshow, long recognized this city’s history and global potential—which is why, in 2010, he proposed the Airshow to celebrate the industry and attract more investment and opportunity to Edmonton.
The first Airshow in 2015 at the Villeneuve Airport drew a crowd of over 24,000 people, and those numbers have only increased over the years. It is part of a larger picture: to attract investment, open doors of opportunity, make the industry accessible, and promote new talent.
Building Connections
“It was never just an airshow,” explains Skermer. This big-picture thinking is further brought to life through the career expo, which returns this year featuring major manufacturers like Bombardier, aviation schools, and various Alberta Innovates companies. The expo creates chances to build connections and learn about different jobs in the industry. “We’ll make sure the door stays open for you no matter who you are,” says Skermer. “We want to remove barriers—because they shouldn’t exist in the first place.”
Local pilot Bill Carter, currently living in St. Albert after retiring from Air Canada, first earned his wings in Saskatchewan in 1966 and is considered one of Canadian aviation’s most accomplished pilots. He echoes the values and purpose of the Alberta Airshow: “Every chance we get to talk to young people at airshows, we tell them that if you get into something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” This is an event where people of all ages can discover their dreams and learn from the best.
Ready for Fun
Of course, the performances are just as exciting as the limitless possibilities. This year, audiences can look forward to famous military acts like the RCAF Snowbirds and Skyhawks, as well as civilian acts like Yellow Thunder, Kyle Fowler, and Yuichi Takagi. To complete your day, there will also be motocross acts and food trucks, and you can even see parked planes up close. For the young ones, a kids’ zone will feature slides and bouncy castles, and a monster truck appearance will be available for rides!
The 2023 Alberta International Airshow runs from August 4–6 at the Villeneuve Airport. At this event, that old saying rings true—the sky’s the limit.
