The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) in Oshkosh has cancelled the 2020 edition of its annual airshow and fly-in, know as AirVenture, because of safety and logistical concerns created by the Covid-19 viral pandemic and Wisconsin’s stay at home governmental orders.
Attendance at the event draws hundreds of thousands of people from around the US and 90 countries each summer. Millions of dollars are pumped into the local economy by the week long event. AirVenture was scheduled for July 20-26. It would’ve been the EAA’s 68th annual AirVenture.
EAA Chair Jack Pelton says they looked at every possibility over the past six weeks as to how EAA could move forward with AirVenture this year, because it is such an important reunion for the aviation community. He says ultimately, preserving the health and safety of all attendees, and all the varying guidelines between states and countries from where they live, along with the massive commitments needed now for an event to meet EAA’s high standards, made cancellation the only option for this year.
“Those of us involved in aviation know very well the importance of information gathering and planning prior to any flight, and I looked at AirVenture in much the same way before reaching this decision,” Pelton said. “While no one can see every eventuality, as we looked as the scenarios for holding the event in 2020, it was dependent on a number of important factors where there are currently no definitive answers. That is not the way to commit to an event that welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors to Oshkosh from more than 90 countries.”
All pre-sold AirVenture 2020 admissions and camping reservations can be rolled over to the 2021 event or the payments can be refunded. Organizers plan to contact those buyers individually, within the next two weeks, about their options. The dates for AirVenture in 2021 will be July 26th through August 1st.
