Image courtesy RAF

The British High Commission to Canada has welcomed the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT) — best known as the Red Arrows — as they touch down in Greenwood, Nova Scotia to kick off the highly anticipated Maple Hawk 2024 tour in Canada.

Invited by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to mark its centennial and, concurrently, celebrate the Red Arrows 60th Diamond Season, this landmark tour presents a unique opportunity for aviation fans and the general public to experience a series of spectacular air displays and ground activities by one of the world’s most recognisable aerobatic display teams over five weeks.

The Red Arrows will tour across six Canadian cities taking part in a series of Canadian airshows, beginning with a grand arrival in Nova Scotia at the renowned Greenwood Military Aviation Museum. They will also perform four 'flypasts' in iconic locations, which will be visible for free to the public: at Niagara Falls, the Old Port of Montreal, the harbour of St. John’s and through central Ottawa. Following the jets’ arrival, the Red Arrows will take to the skies at Air Show Atlantic, marking the team’s first public appearance as part of Maple Hawk.

The tour is a significant occasion, spotlighting the strong defence, trade and business links, as well as the cultural and historical bonds between the UK and Canada. From the British Red Arrows to the Canadian Snowbirds display team, these national ambassadors reinforce the reputation of each nation for innovation, expertise and skill.

The inaugural stop will also highlight the importance of STEM studies, showcasing the excellence of the Royal Air Force engineers, technicians and support team in inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. To further this goal, the British High Commission Ottawa and the Red Arrows have partnered with Let’s Talk Science, a registered Canadian charitable organisation dedicated to advancing education and skills development for children and youth in Canada through STEM initiatives.

British High Commissioner to Canada, Susannah Goshko CMG, stated: "It is a tremendous honour for the RCAF to invite the Red Arrows to Canada, particularly in this landmark year. At each stop of their tour, alongside treating crowds to a stunning aerobatic performance, the Red Arrows will engage with young people to showcase the UK’s excellent science and innovation credentials. We hope these memorable experiences will inspire these potential future leaders to pursue a STEM qualification from one of the UK’s world-class universities."

The Red Arrows aim to captivate audiences with their distinctive blend of precision formation flying and exhilarating aerobatic manoeuvres, showcasing the team’s commitment to excellence and military distinction. This year’s routine features a new display that revives the iconic Diamond Nine formation for the first time since 2021. Each leg of the tour reinforces the deep and enduring military ties between the Red Arrows and the RCAF, symbolising their collaborative spirit and shared history.

Brigadier Edward Sandry OBE, said: "Each airshow and flypast will offer the public an engaging spectacle, crafted by a team of skilled engineers, support staff and experienced pilots. The Maple Hawk tour aims to highlight the strong bond between our two nations’ militaries. We hope that thousands of Canadians will be inspired by the Red Arrows’ display of teamwork and talent."

Following Greenwood, the Maple Hawk 2024 tour will take the Red Arrows through the following Canadian cities for public viewing and interaction:
Air Show Atlantic – Greenwood Aviation Museum, Nova Scotia (24th & 25th August)
Niagara Falls flypast - Niagara Falls, Ontario (28th August)
Canadian International Air Show – Toronto, Ontario (31st August 31, 1st & 2nd September)
Ottawa River flypast - Ottawa, Ontario (4th September)
AERO Gatineau-Ottawa – Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport (7th & 8th September)
Airshow London – London International Airport, Ontario (13th, 14th and 15th September)
Montreal Old Port flypast - St. Lawrence, Montreal (18th September)
St. John’s flypast - St. John’s Waterfront (20th September)

For more information on the Red Arrows Canadian tour, follow @UKinCanada and @RAFRedArrows on X (formerly Twitter), like the RAF Red Arrows’ and British High Commission, Ottawa’s Facebook pages, stay tuned to @RAFRedArrows and @UKinCanada on Instagram and visit www.raf.mod.uk/reds.
Use the hashtags #RedArrowsMapleHawk and #SeeThingsDifferently online to keep up-to-date with the Red Arrows’ tour.