SINGAPORE — Fifteen exhibitors have pulled out of the Singapore Airshow 2020, and an associated leadership summit for aviation leaders has been cancelled, the airshow organisers said on Tuesday (Feb 4).

But Singapore Airshow 2020, due to be held from Feb 11 to 16, is going ahead with extra precautions to safeguard those attending, given the novel coronavirus outbreak, organisers Experia Events said in a media release.

Pointing to factors such as Singapore’s recent travel restrictions, the firm initially said that 10 exhibitors from China and six from four other countries — Canada, Germany, Britain and the United States — had pulled out of the event.

One of the exhibitors subsequently decided to proceed with its original plan to participate, the company clarified late on Feb 4.

South Korea's air force has also pulled its Black Eagles aerobatic team from taking part in the event this year.

The cancelled Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit — originally scheduled for Feb 10 — was originally planned to host 300 aviation leaders, including government officials, civil aviation authorities, airport operators and airline executives.

Experia Events said of the cancellation: “This will allow many of the aviation leaders who are deeply involved in working out the responses to the novel coronavirus outbreak to focus on exigencies related to the ongoing situation.”

The improved precautions for the airshow include enhanced cleaning and refuse management, temperature screenings, providing hand sanitisers to participants, and having a team of doctors or medics to attend to visitors who are feeling unwell.

“In the coming week, we are focused on delivering the show while ensuring the overall safety of our attendees,” Experia Events' managing director Leck Chet Lam said.

“During this period, we will continue to work with the relevant authorities and do our utmost to offer support to our exhibitors, partners and visitors who require assistance.” 

The event is held at the Changi Exhibition Centre every two years. About 80,000 people attended the 2018 airshow, which was described as the biggest aviation exhibition in Asia.

CORRECTION: An earlier report stated that 16 exhibitors pulled out of the Singapore Airshow 2020. The organisers have clarified that one exhibitor has decided to proceed with its original plan to participate. As such, the number of exhibitors that have pulled out of the event as of Feb 4 is 15.