ILA Berlin Air Show 2020 cancelled due to Coronavirus

ILA Berlin Air Show 2018 — ILA Berlin in 2018. Photo: © Messe Berlin GmbH

ILA Berlin 2020, also known as Berlin Air Show, has been cancelled due to the spread of Coronavirus in Europe.

The biannual event was due to take place from May 13 to May 17 at ExpoCenter Airport, a facility located at the yet-to-open new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (IATA: BER).

Following the continued spread of the novel Coronavirus (which causes the Covid-19 disease) in Europe, many events and trade fairs have been forced to be cancelled. The ILA’s home district Dahmen-Spreewald (just south of capital Berlin), in the German State of Brandenburg, decided last week to prohibit all events and gatherings with more than 1,000 people in a non-time-limited order.

The previous ILA, in April 2018, attracted more than 180,000 visitors, 1,100 different exhibitors from 41 countries and had 200 aircraft on display, placing ILA Berlin among the largest air shows in the world. Every two years, the trade fair is organised by BDLI – the German Aerospace Industries Association, and Messe Berlin GmbH – the operator of trade fairs in Berlin.

For us it is clear that we take responsibility for the exhibitors, partners and visitors at ILA 2020. We would like to expressly thank everyone whose commitment over the past few months helped to prepare for the ILA. […]Volker Thum, Chief Executive of BDLI

Thum further states that the ongoing Coronavirus crisis is a ‘severe blow’ for the aviation industry.

It is with a heavy heart that we must now announce the cancellation of ILA Berlin 2020. For weeks Messe Berlin has made it known that a decision on holding or cancelling large-scale events can at present only be based on the recommendations or instructions of the relevant specialist authorities. Only they possess the necessary information and specialist knowledge in order to draw the right conclusions.Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH

Earlier this month, ITB 2020 was due to take place in Berlin as one of the world’s largest trade fairs for travel and tourism. It was called off less than a week before opening, also because of Coronavirus fears.

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