Coronavirus: major aviation summit cancelled on eve of Singapore Airshow

Representatives from the US Federal Aviation Administration and International Air Transport Association were among those due to speak at the summit

The Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest aerospace event, will go ahead, organisers said on Monday

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Republic of Singapore Air Force jets fly in formation on January 17, 2018. File photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:04am, 4 Feb 2020Updated: 3:04pm, 25 Feb 2020

A meeting of international aviation officials due to be held in Singapore on the eve of Asia’s largest annual aerospace event has been cancelled because of fears over the coronavirus outbreak, participants said, although the organiser confirmed on Tuesday that the broader event would go ahead.

The UN International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and three industry sources confirmed on Monday that the February 10 Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit had been abandoned.

The news adds to a series of pullouts by companies from the main Singapore Airshow, which is expected to begin on February 11, under the shadow of the fast-spreading virus.

Speakers at the Leadership Summit were due to include ICAO President Salvatore Sciacchitano, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Steve Dickson and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Director General Alexandre de Juniac.

Airshow organiser Experia Events on Tuesday said the event would continue, albeit with reduced attendance due to travel restrictions and enhanced precautionary measures such as temperature checks for attendees.

Singapore has denied entry to all Chinese visitors and foreigners with a recent history of travel to mainland China, where the virus originated.

Travellers seen in protective face masks at the departure hall of Changi Airport in Singapore on January 30, 2020. Photo: AFP