One of the mainstays of the Abbotsford Airshow has been cancelled as a result of the $16 trillion US budget deficit and the sequestering that came about as a result last week’s impass in Congress.
The Vancouver Sun is reporting that the US budget crisis has forced the cancellation of the military aircraft demonstrations at the 2013 Abbotsford Airshow.
“The United States debt ceiling crisis has forced the cancellation of American military aircraft slated to appear at this year’s August Abbotsford Airshow.“As of April 1, touring schedules for all U.S. air force teams booked for trade shows and air shows throughout North America have been cancelled as part of an effort to stymie the $16 trillion U.S. national debt.
“The so-called budget sequestrations mean two static, or non-flight, U.S. military demos — the USAF F-22 Raptor and the U.S. navy Super Hornet — will likely not make their scheduled appearance in Abbotsford, said Jim Reith, incoming president of the Abbotsford Airshow.
“The famed USAF Thunderbirds aerial performance team, which performed at last year’s Abbotsford Airshow, and the U.S. navy Blue Angels team, are also expected to be grounded throughout the summer season.
“We’re working hard on filling a couple of holes,” said Rieth. But, he added, Abbotsford’s annual summer spectacle will still feature plenty of inflight performances courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
