The organizers of Germany’s annual Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show today postponed the event because of issues surrounding the growing coronavirus threat. The show was scheduled to take place April 1 to 4.

Roland Bosch, head of the show, explained, “In accordance with the saying ‘Complete safety is an illusion; there are only varying degrees of risk and uncertainty,’ we were convinced right up until the end that we would be able to overcome the challenge we were facing in the coronavirus.

“Despite the uncertainties, we believed Aero Friedrichshafen 2020, with the participation of around 700 registered exhibitors, would be able to be held. However, in recent days we received a very large number of cancellations and clear signals from our exhibitors and potential visitors, making it impossible to hold the event now.”

The show is postponed to a future date that has not yet been selected. The organizers will honor tickets at the future event or ticketholders can receive a refund. Show organizer Messe Friedrichshafen has also canceled two of its other shows, Aqua-Fisch and IBO.

"The current situation with the coronavirus has resulted in a nasty domino effect,” said Messe Friedrichshafen managing director Klaus Wellmann. "The industry members of the general aviation community also see the health and economic risks of the upcoming trade fair as too high. We share this assessment, but it is with a heavy heart that we now need to take this serious step together.”