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. 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. The Alberta Air Tours was thus born, providing a safe way to enjoy an aviation event and promote general aviation while still observing the safety protocol in effect.

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 fly to, to demonstrate why they are the best place to visit in what we refer to as God’s country. We have seen up to 800 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, often serving food, engaging with the public and presenting locally made welcome gifts to our pilots.

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. 

Air Tours have been recognized and given an award for innovation from the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association 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 something special indeed and we could make a lasting impression for many Albertans of the positive benefits as well as dispel the stigmas surrounding our community.