It is estimated that over 1.4 million people watch the show in Toronto every year and I think a few hundred thousand extra only hear the show or catch a peek of the planes through the office towers and condos. The show started in 1948, over what would become Pearson Airport but what was known as the Malton Airport, moving the next year to Exhibition Park. The CIAS name was adopted in 1955 and in 1956 the single day event became a two day airshow on the last two days of the CNE. In 1969 the two day show became the four day air show, then back down to three days in 1989 (not counting the practice day). You know which Canadian plane didn't end up in the show? It was the very famous Avro Arrow which was going to perform in 1958 but was cancelled due to weather.

2023 performers include the United States Navy Blue Angels, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Blue Angels Fat Albert C-130T, CF-18 Demonstration Team, Gord Price & the Yak-50, Mike Tryggvason Extra 330, P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight, T-33, Trevor Rafferty Pitts 12, United States Air Force – F-16 Demo Team and the new addition to the show - Royal Canadian Air Force CH-147F Chinook. It's great to see two military jet teams - our Snowbirds and the US Blue Angels which first came to Toronto in 1956 flying Grumman F-9F's. The Snowbirds joined Toronto's show in 1972 and have been back every year since.