Italian Air Force performs flyover in Toronto
The red, white and green of Italy’s Air Force graced the skies above Toronto for the first time in nearly 40 years during a flyover Thursday.
The Canadian International Air Show (CAIS) said the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force's aerobatic team, started their display at 4:30 p.m.
Onlookers on the ground saw 10 of the country’s jets perform the flyover as coloured smoked painted the Italian flag across the city’s skyline.
The hour-long demonstration was mostly visible to those in the downtown core and along the waterfront, despite the haze and humidity amid an ongoing heat wave in Toronto,
Thursday’s performance comes ahead of the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) in late August. Due to scheduling constraints, the Frecce Tricolori will depart before the 75th annual event gets underway.
"Our personnel and cutting-edge equipment can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the world, ensuring our ability to operate effectively in any global location," Col. Stefano Pietropaoli, of the Aeronautica Militare, said in a news release before the event. "We are excited to return to Toronto after 38 years, flying the Frecce over the skyline."
The last time the aerobatic team performed in Toronto was back in 1986 as part of the CIAS lineup at the time.
The Frecce Tricolori, the Italian air force aerobatic team, flies over Toronto in 1986. (The Canadian International Air Show)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Canadian women among those who allege Harrods boss sexually abused them
CTV News has learned there are multiple Canadian women alleging they were victims of sexual abuse at the hands of the late Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.
PM Justin Trudeau to adjust cabinet roles today, as Pablo Rodriguez quits
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be making adjustments to his cabinet today, CTV News has confirmed. The small shuffle is the result of longtime cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez quitting.
BREAKING François Legault wants the Trudeau government to fall
Quebec Premier François Legault is calling on the Bloc Québécois to topple the Trudeau government next Wednesday and trigger a federal election.
Hezbollah leader vows retaliation against Israel for attacks on devices as both sides trade strikes
The Israeli defence minister said Thursday that Hezbollah would 'pay an increasing price' as Israel seeks to make conditions near its border with Lebanon safe enough for residents to return to their homes.
Canadian among dozens arrested in Ghost app global cybercrime crackdown
A Canadian suspect was among dozens arrested around the world in a global crackdown on the encrypted communication platform, called Ghost, according to the RCMP.
Quebec woman charged with first-degree murder in death of five-year-old boy
A 29-year-old Quebec woman is facing a first-degree murder charge in the death of a five-year-old boy southwest of Montreal.
Huge python grabs Thai woman in her kitchen, squeezes her two hours before she can be freed
A 64-year-old woman was preparing to do her evening dishes at her home outside Bangkok when she felt a sharp pain in her thigh and looked down to see a huge python taking hold of her.
CTV News in Italy Stolen Winston Churchill 'Roaring Lion' portrait returned after ceremony in Italy
A special ceremony at the Canadian Embassy in Rome marked the successful recovery of an iconic portrait of Winston Churchill after a two-year search by Ottawa police.
Robbers crash through ceiling in brazen US$150K cash heist
Two suspects broke into a cheque-cashing business in Atlanta through the ceiling and forced an employee to open the safe, where they stole US$150K.