Avalon Airshow grounded for 2021

THIS year’s Australian International Airshow is one of the latest victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, with organisers confirming last week the event at Avalon Airport had been grounded.

The Victorian Government is not considering any immediate support for the state’s major events but says it is regularly consulting with the industry.

The biennial airshow at Avalon draws thousands of visitors to the Geelong region and was scheduled to take off from 30 November to 5 December/

AMDA Foundation chief executive Ian Honnery said delivering such a highly complex event in the challenging circumstances of the Delta variant of COVID-19 would involve risks of uncertainty for attendees, participants, industry and the public.

“Therefore, in order to minimise uncertainty and disruption to attendees and participants, the difficult decision has been taken now that AIRSHOW 2021 will not go ahead,” he said.

“It is deeply disappointing for the AMDA Foundation team, our stakeholders, exhibitors, participants and patrons that this signature industry trade show and public entertainment spectacular will not proceed.

“But public health and safety must be paramount and responsible levels of certainty must be achieved for all involved in or attending such a complex and multi-faceted major event.”

AMDA Foundation has started planning and preparation for the next airshow, which will be held from February 28 to March 5, 2023.

“With the expected transition to post-COVID normalcy, AIRSHOW 2023 will return to international prominence as one of the world’s great air shows,” Mr Honnery said. “Showcasing the colour, spectacle and excitement of aviation, and the industrial and technological potential of aerospace, defence and space as national strategic capabilities, AIRSHOW 2023 will again take Australia to the world by bringing the world to Australia.”

Speaking to reporters last week, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula said the Avalon Airshow being cancelled was regrettable but was not because of a lack of government support.

“That’s much more about, apart from capacity restrictions, the ability of Defence Force personnel, the RAAF and others, to move safely and freely across state borders, and I think a judgement’s been made that it’s just a bit too difficult to predict, so it’s been cancelled.”