Virus Worries Affect Business Aviation Conventions And Shows

Worries over the coronavirus have affected business aviation show-going in a big way. On Feb. 7 the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced the cancellation of the Asian Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (ABACE) planned for April 16-18 in Shanghai because of health concerns about the spreading virus and the special challenges it would bring for participants. The show, cohosted by NBAA and the Asian Business Aviation Association, typically attracts 9,000 attendees from 50 countries, 165 exhibitors, 35 aircraft and about 300 members of the press. ABACE 2021 is scheduled to take place April 13-15.  Meanwhile, as global alarm over the deadly viral outbreak grew, several North American companies, including Bombardier, Gulfstream, Textron Aviation, CAE, Stemme and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems decided not to attend the Singapore Air Show, which ran from Feb. 11-16. Each company attributed its withdrawal to concerns about the health of their employees and customers. The show, held every two years, drew more than 54,000 attendees from 147 countries in 2018, up 12% from the previous show in 2018. The U.S. had the largest international presence with more than 170 exhibitors in 129,000 sq. ft.