Organisers cancelled the Avalon Airshow this week amid “increased” COVID-19 uncertainty, after initially postponing the major event from February to November.
AMDA Foundation chief executive Ian Honnery confirmed the cancellation on Tuesday evening.
“The pandemic has already required the Avalon organising team to work through many past challenges in respect of the 2021 event, including postponement from its original planned dates,” Mr Honnery said.
“However, recent developments as a consequence of the COVID-19 delta strain have highlighted that the environment has become more unpredictable.
“Delivering such a highly complex, hallmark event in these challenging circumstances 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 Avalon 2021 will not go ahead.”
Mr Honnery described the cancellation as “deeply disappointing” for AMDA Foundation, a not-for-profit defence group and the main organiser behind the air show.
“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,” he said.
“It is for the team, our stakeholders, exhibitors, participants and patrons that this signature industry trade show and public entertainment spectacular will not proceed.”
But Mr Honnery announced AMDA had begun planning for Avalon Airshow to go ahead in 2013 from February 28 to March 5.
“With the expected transition to post-COVID normalcy, Avalon 2023 will return to international prominence as one of the world’s great air shows,” he said.
The event would showcase the “colour, spectacle and excitement” of aviation, and the space and defence industries as a “national strategic capabilities”, Mr Honnery said.
“Neither the sky, nor space, will be the limit at Avalon 2023.”
The biennial Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition at Avalon, commonly known as Avalon Airshow, is the most comprehensive event of its type in the southern hemisphere, according to AMDA.
The Royal Australian Air Force is a major participant in the event, which receives substantial support from state government and attracts visitors from across the globe.
