Due to the global COVID-19 crisis, EBAA and NBAA have cancelled EBACE 2021, while making plans for new, virtual EBACE programming from 18-20 May, the previously planned dates for the event. The two associations added that they will seek other opportunities to jointly promote business aviation excellence throughout the coming year.

“This continues to be a very challenging situation, and the health and wellbeing of our attendees and exhibitors remains our highest priority,” says NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen.

“Although vaccination programmes are ramping up, we are still in unchartered waters,” adds EBAA secretary general Athar Husain Khan. “We felt that, in May 2021, the safety of our exhibitors and attendees could not be guaranteed in the traditional EBACE format.”

The associations will provide details regarding the new EBACE programming that will gather the industry around compelling speakers and valuable content. Exhibitors already signed up for participation in EBACE2021 will hear shortly from the EBACE exhibits team.

NBAA has also announced that it is cancelling its in-person events through to 30 June 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, adding that the organisation will view options for convening through virtual programming.

“We are disappointed that we will be unable to offer a robust slate of in-person events in the first half of 2021,” says president and CEO Ed Bolen. “That said, the safety and security of our event participants has always been a core value for the association, and that is central to our decision. As we did in 2020, we are exploring opportunities to gather the business aviation community through various online initiatives, and we will provide details as soon as they are available.”

The decision affects the 2021 ABACE, which was scheduled for 13-15 April in Shanghai (the 2022 event is scheduled from 12-14 April); the 2021 NBAA Maintenance Conference, planned for 11-13 May (the 2022 event is scheduled for 3-5 May in San Antonio, TX); and the 2021 NBAA White Plains Regional Forum, scheduled for 9 June.

“We will keep members and partners apprised with regard to how this challenging and evolving situation impacts our industry,” Bolen adds. Continually updated information on COVID-19, including the status of future NBAA events, is available at the NBAA website.