With the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers of the world’s largest fly-in convention, EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) AirVenture Oshkosh 2020, have been forced to cancel the 2020 event which was scheduled to be held between 20 and 26 July.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, now in its 68th year, is a weeklong annual air show that attracts aviation enthusiasts from around the globe. It is estimated that over 600 000 people attend every year. In 2018 visitors were registered from over 87 nations. This event boasts an estimated 10 000 aircraft, 3 000 show planes, and over 900 media representatives on-site from six continents, along with over 850 commercial exhibitors.

This gathering, the largest of its kind globally, is held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. During the show, the airport’s control tower becomes the busiest in the world. 

“We 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,” said Jack J. Pelton, EAA CEO and Chairman of the Board, in an article published on the EAA website. “The current status in Wisconsin is that it is still under a stay at home order until May 26, which completely eliminates our ability to start grounds preparation May 1.

The reopening of the state also has no specific dates, creating uncertainty about mass gatherings in July. Ultimately, preserving the health and safety of all who would attend – and all the varying guidelines between states and countries from where our participants arrive – 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.

“There is no way to describe the disappointment I feel for everyone who sees AirVenture as aviation’s family reunion each year. You can be assured that EAA is already eagerly looking forward to gathering along the AirVenture flightline on July 26 through August 1 in 2021.”

For more information, go to www.eaa.org/airventure.