Italian Air Force flyover of downtown Moose Jaw cancelled due to smoke

A planned flyover of downtown Moose Jaw by the Italian Air Force has been cancelled due to poor air quality and visibility Monday.

A total of two flybys were scheduled for the Aeronautica Militare Aerobatic Team, also known as the Frecce Tricolori.

The team, which is famous for its smoke trails representing the national colours of Italy, was set to honour the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as it marks 100 years of service in 2024.

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Originally, the team was set to fly their Aermacchi MB-339 jets twice over downtown Moose Jaw at an altitude no lower than 500 feet at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Monday.

Due to smoky conditions all across Saskatchewan, the flypast was delayed once before being cancelled outright just after 12 p.m.

As of 12:30 p.m., Regina's Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) value was recorded as 10+ or “very high risk.”

In place of an aerial performance, the team made a technical stop at 15 Wing Moose Jaw and visited their opposite numbers in the RCAF, the Snowbirds.

The visit marked 32 years since the Italian National Aerobatic Team visited Canada. According to Lt. Col. Massimiliano Salvatore, the team is happy to be back.

“We share the same professionalism. We do the same job. We represent our air forces," he said. "The Snowbirds represent the Royal Canadian Air Force. We represent the Aeronautica Militare. So all the people that work everyday, 24 hours a day, to ensure the security of our countries.”

Frecce Tricolori performed last weekend in Cold Lake, Alberta. They will carry on to OshKosh, Wisconsin for that city's annual air show.

--With files from Gareth Dillistone.