Residents and tourists alike were left in awe Tuesday evening as the Italian Air Force orchestrated an aerial spectacle over downtown Vancouver.
The tranquil bluebird skies suddenly came alive with the thunderous roar of fighter jets and the graceful maneuvers of the aerobatic team, catching many off guard.
The troupe of 10 planes left trails of smoke coloured in the green, white, and red hues of the Italian flag.
However, this was actually a scheduled event, as initially reported by Daily Hive Listed in May 2024.
The flyovers and stunts performed above Vancouver were the latest stop for Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team, during their tour across Canada and the United States this summer. They are flying over both countries for the first time in over 30 years.
Cool, we got some jets buzzing downtown Vancouver pic.twitter.com/DcCdqdR4Ft
— Conor in BC (@conorsvan1) July 17, 2024
Jets flying over Vancouver releasing green, white, and red smoke. Really hope we’ve been invaded by Italy. pic.twitter.com/pjknLchXvu
— HAA (@hansaschim) July 17, 2024
I couldn’t get my phone out fast enough! But here’s the after effects of the Italian airforce jets flyover downtown Vancouver. Tricolour. . Still pretty cool to see and incredibly loud. And that’s a way to end a Tuesday. 🙂 pic.twitter.com/oJmlIE0Min
— Heidi (@Heidi_CanadnGal) July 17, 2024
Last month, Frecce Tricolori began their tour at the Bagotville air show in Quebec to partake in the 100th anniversary celebrations of the Royal Canadian Air Force, before flying over Ottawa, Montreal, and the Trenton air show in Ontario.
Their next major Canadian stops include Edmonton on July 18, Cold Lake on July 20 and 21, and Toronto on August 1.
Whoa! Anyone know what’s happening? #vancouver pic.twitter.com/FiAWbW6fbw
— Christy Farrell (@ChristyjFarrell) July 17, 2024
What was that?! Jets ripping through #Vancouver airspace, leaving colour trails as they made three passovers. pic.twitter.com/BdVYn5uqHQ
— Stu Chase (@stuartchase) July 17, 2024
Why are jets spraying coloured smoke in #vancouver #coalharbour pic.twitter.com/knaRIPxbNp
— Ray Ho (@ray_s_ho) July 17, 2024
Frecce Tricolori features 10 pilots — nine pilots and a solo pilot — from the air force’s combat-ready squadrons. The aerobatic troupe, founded in 1961, uses the Aermacchi MB339APAN aircraft.
The next air show in Vancouver will be this weekend, when the Red Bull Air Show takes to the skies over English Bay as part of the pre-fireworks entertainment of the Honda Celebration of Light. The Red Bull Air Show will fly at about 7:40 pm for each of the three fireworks nights.