Two large air shows canceled due to coronavirus

Farnborough International Airshow, the world’s largest air show for the defense and aviation sectors, has been canceled as the coronavirus crisis continues to spread across the globe.

“After very careful consideration, the unprecedented impact of the global coronavirus pandemic has forced this decision in the interests of the health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors, contractors and staff,” read a statement on the event’s website.

“This decision was reached taking into consideration several major factors surrounding the outbreak of COVID19, all of which we have concluded make it impossible for us to create and host the air show this July.”

The biannual air show, which attracted close to 80,000 visitors from 112 countries as well as 98 military delegations from 66 countries last year, was due to take place during the last week of July at Farnborough Airport in southeastern England.

With major deals topping close to $200 billion last year, the cancellation of the event is a major blow to the airline industry, which is already suffering major losses because of the pandemic.

In addition to the cancellation of the air show, the virus has also caused the cancellation of England’s largest military air show, the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in England’s South West, which was set to take place just days before.

The RIAT, the world’s second largest military tattoo, attracts up to 100,000 visitors and is estimated to generate about $1.7 million for the local economy.

Organizers of the event said that while it would have a negative impact on suppliers, it would “run counter to current government advice” to hold such an event with such a large influx of people from all over the world.

“The air tattoo is reliant on the support of a wide range of stakeholders, not least the participation of international air arms, medical professionals, military security teams and our emergency services, many of whom are delivering a fundamental contribution to fighting this crisis. We believe delivery of our event would distract them from this,” read a statement released by the air show.

In 2017, Israel sent an Israel Air Force delegation, showcasing its new generation Samson tactical transport plane alongside other C-130 variants from countries such as Pakistan and Qatar. It was the first time an Israeli C-130J Samson ever landed on British soil.