The Alberta Air Tours began in 2019 as a way to gather like-minded enthusiasts to enjoy aviation in a safe manner during the Covid restriction period.  

Summer was approaching and all airshows and other aviation events were cancelled due the Covid epidemic. There were limited options for a social gathering or local community event, prompting founders Dina Jammaz and Scott Holmes to devise a way to carry on the aviation spirit. They were soon joined by MLA Shane Getson who recognized an opportunity to promote general aviation in a more profound way, recognizing the opportunity to share the economic impact of our community airports. The Alberta Air Tours was born, providing a safe way to enjoy an aviation event and promote general aviation.

Following the lifting of pandemic restrictions, with larger open-air gatherings being permitted, the Alberta Air Tours began to grow. Community members, business owners, chambers of commerce, tourism, and other not-for-profit groups were invited to join us in celebrating aviation and Alberta’s beautiful communities.

We began to encourage some friendly competition between the towns we flew to, to demonstrate why they are the best place to visit in what we refer to as God’s country. We have seen over 1000 people joining us at airports to enjoy live music, food trucks and BBQ’s, car shows and drifting demonstrations, local artisans selling their wares, children’s face painting and games and so much more! The elected officials welcomed and joined us in promoting their community and the airport.

Today, we continue to invite pilots from Alberta and surrounding provinces to explore Alberta with us to promote economic development, support of community airports and tourism, and inspire our rural youth into aviation as a career or passion with the same community engagement.

The Alberta Air Tours is a not-for-profit group that does not charge a fee from our pilots or the communities we visit. Our passion for aviation, and our love of our beautiful province is what continues to drive us. 

The Alberta Air Tours were honored with an award from the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association, and the Alberta Aviation and Aerospace Council for the above noted reasons: innovation, engagement, giving back to local communities and promotion of aviation / aerospace through community engagement. The Alberta Air Tour concept has become something special indeed, making a lasting impression for many Albertans as to the positive benefits and dispelling the stigmas surrounding general aviation.