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 two weeks ago 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 November 30 to December 5.

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 Australian 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 indus ry 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 earlier this month, 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.”

He said the Victorian Government was consulting with organisers of specific events one-on-one as well as sectors such as the live music and theatre industries.

“Major events being cancelled – whether it’s the Ekka in Brisbane or the likelihood, I suspect, that the NRL grand final might be elsewhere this year – it’s a really regrettable but unavoidable part of dealing with a pandemic.

“We put on the ones that we can, and we should cherish them.

“Whether it’s the Australian Open or the Warrnambool May races, the ones that you can get away are fantastic but there are others that unfortunately happen to fall during outbreak periods and they become very difficult.”

He said he was “looking very closely” at establishing an event insurance package similar to one now being considered by the NSW Government.