Dear , 

After consultation with the host airports, RABA (the association of 40+ regional airports), the British Aviation Group, and other partners, we have taken the very difficult decision to postpone the 5th British-Irish Airports EXPO, which will now resume in its traditional summertime slot at ExCeL London in 2021.

We tried very hard to keep the event going because there was such a strong desire to “meet again.” However, multiple reasons have led us to this decision. Primarily, a just-conducted survey of regular visitors confirmed that many still face restrictions on attending the EXPO due to safety and financially-driven travel constraints, compounded by greatly-reduced staffing levels. Most critically, we also still lack sufficient detailed guidance and specification on how large-scale business events can be safely staged in the UK. As such, we are still not able to generate a new floorplan, nor define the other key logistical arrangements for visitors and exhibitors.

British-Irish Airports VIRTUAL Sessions

Meanwhile, following the high audience figures for the recent British-Irish Airports VIRTUAL Sessions held with Niall O’Connor, Ryanair’s Director of New Route Development, and Jonathan Hinkles, CEO of Loganair, it is very clear that there is a universal demand for more of this activity. Indeed, several of the key stakeholders who had originally committed to speak at the EXPO, including several UK airport leaders, the Aviation Minister Kelly Tolhurst MP, and the Committee on Climate Change Chairman Lord Deben, have already agreed to transition to the British-Irish Airports VIRTUAL Sessions platform.

We will be publishing login details for the virtual events in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, you can register yourself and colleagues using this registration link or contact us regarding affordable sponsorship and branding opportunities at the British-Irish Airports VIRTUAL Sessions.

Visit FTE APEX Virtual EXPO December 2020: A sister business to British-Irish Airports EXPO

In the meantime we also urge you to participate in the ground-breaking, interactive FTE APEX Virtual Expo on December 8-9 2020. Future Travel Experience, a sister business unit to British-Irish Airports EXPO, has successfully created this powerful and truly global digital event delivering meaningful engagement between airports, airlines and suppliers.

Access to the virtual exhibition hall of 100+ exhibitors is free to all; FTE is targeting 8,000 visitors, and over 100 airports and airlines are already registered, including some 30 top-buying airports (see here).

In the meantime, we once again sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by the tough decision to postpone British-Irish Airports EXPO, albeit one forced upon us by the industry’s most disruptive year in peacetime. Please do not hesitate to talk to us at any time; we are completely open to your suggestions and ideas.

Warm regards,
Paul Hogan

Event Director
British-Irish Airports EXPO