Industry Aircraft Interior Exhibition 2020 postponed

The Aircraft Interiors Expo was expected to take place at Hamburg between March 30, to April 2^nd, 2020. This postponement also means, that Hanse-Aerospace´s member companies will not attend the exhibition.

Reed Exhibitions also stated, that the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) and the Passenger Experience Conference (PEC) will be postponed as well. Both fairs would have taking place at Hamburg simultaneously to the AIX.

Speaking about the announcement, Katie Murphy, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions, said: “The health and safety of our exhibitors, visitors and staff is our number one priority. In close coordination with all partners involved, we will promptly announce an alternative date for the events [...] We have been closely monitoring the situation and notices issued by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as well as the German Federal Government and Hamburg local authorities. While it is disappointing to postpone the events, given the ongoing developments related to COVID-19, we believe it is the best course of action for all involved."

In the last years, around 14,000 attendees visited the exhibition. More than 245 airline operators from around the globe meet in Hamburg every year. This also means an enlarged risk for the Coronavirus to spread, as people from all over the world come together.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly. We trust that postponing the events will provide the international passenger experience industry the opportunity to achieve their business objectives later in the year and we are working to have confirmed dates as soon as possible. We thank our exhibitors, partners, suppliers and visitors for their support,” Murphy concluded.

The Coronavirus has had a massive impact on the aviation industry. Several airlines are and were cancelling flights to the far east. Lufthansa for example is expecting to cancel nearly 50% of all flights and to ground its entire Airbus A380 fleet.

Regional carrier Flybe had to file for administration following the lower demand for flights. The airline struggled with its finances over the past years and failed to seal a rescue credit with the British government. Flybe was the largest regional carrier in Europe.