Farnborough International Airshow 2020 and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) have been cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The two famous British Airshows were due to take place in late-July. RIAT was the first one from July 17th to 19th and Farnborough from July 20th to 24th.
“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.”
Farnborough Statment
The Farnborough International Airshow is a trade exhibition fair for the aerospace and defence industries, where civilian and military aircraft are demonstrated to potential customers and investors. This airshow is held on even years at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, UK.
Together with the Paris Airshow, it is the largest airshow in the world by economic value and importance for aviation businesses.
This year’s edition was due to be the first one without public visitors. Once the Airshow cutaway Saturday and Sunday they then wanted to focus on trade visitors, media and students.
Roughly 80,000 trade visitors attend the event, with nearly $200bn of orders placed there in 2018.
Meanwhile, RIAT is the largest military airshow in the world; held annually on the third weekend of July at the RAF Fairford Base in Gloucestershire, England.
“It is with enormous regret and disappointment that we have to announce the cancellation of this year’s Royal International Air Tattoo, due to take place from 17 to 19 July, as a result of the challenging and unprecedented environment presented by COVID-19.”
RIAT Statment
The show usually attracts between 150,000 and 160,000 visitors over the weekend. In 2019, 245 aircraft, from 39 armed air services and representing 25 nations, participated in the event.
The next RIAT Air Tattoo will now take place in 2021 and the Farnborough International Airshow in 2022.
Earlier this week, it was also announced that the ILA Berlin Air Show, due to take place in May this year, has been cancelled.