Challenges of coronavirus force postponement of EUROPEAN ROTORS 2020

Due to latest developments in regard to the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, European Helicopter Association (EHA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) are taking a serious but necessary step: The first edition of EUROPEAN ROTORS will not be held as planned from November 10 to 12, 2020, but will be postponed to November 16 to 18, 2021. The organisers are already developing a concept for dedicated digital formats.

“The fact that Covid-19 cases are rising again so strongly within almost all of Europe has resulted in a negative domino effect,” says Peter Moeller, Chairman of the European Helicopter Association (EHA). “With more than 100 confirmed exhibitors, a unique conference and training program, the always strong support from the industry and the national associations, we felt we were on track for the premiere of EUROPEAN ROTORS. But with many European countries and regions which are key markets for the show becoming risk areas, it is very hard for attendees to travel to Germany due to the quarantine and travel regulations. Therefore, and because we feel responsible for the safety and health of our exhibitors and potential visitors,  EHA and EASA together with key industry stakeholders of the rotorcraft community share the assessment that the health risks for our visitors and exhibitors are too high. It is with a heavy heart that we now need to take this serious step together after all the work we have invested and the overwhelmingly positive feedback and contribution we received from all sides of the industry.”

EASA, who is partnering with EHA for the EUROPEAN ROTORS event also regrets the need for the postponement. The training element of the Rotorcraft and VTOL Symposium will also need to be postponed. However, EASA will maintain part of the Symposium agenda in a digital format, alongside some EUROPEAN ROTORS sessions. 

“It is deeply disappointing that EUROPEAN ROTORS will not be able to be launched as planned in 2020, but we need to accept the reality of the COVID-19 situation,” said David Solar, Head of VTOL at EASA. “We hope nevertheless that many people will join us for the virtual events and discussions that will take place online.” 

Dr. Frank Liemandt, Show Director of EUROPEAN ROTORS explains: “We were convinced until the end that we would be able to overcome the challenges we are facing due to the coronavirus. However, our ambition is to bring together the whole European community, and this is obviously not possible at the moment. Therefore we look forward to welcoming the rotorcraft branch next year from November 16 to 18, in Cologne. We will work hard with our partner Messe Friedrichshafen to make the live premiere in 2021 a huge success. In the meantime we are developing a concept to transfer parts of our planned programme into digital formats. Our aim is to provide the community with educational content, knowledge transfer and latest market information over the next months. Details will be announced shortly.”

The exhibitors, visitors, and partners involved in EUROPEAN ROTORS are currently being informed about the postponement. Next year EUROPEAN ROTORS will take place from November 16 to 18, 2021 in Hall 8 and the conference centre north of Koelnmesse. The show will again be organised by the European Helicopter Association (EHA) in cooperation with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and with the support of the leading OEMs such as Airbus, Bell, Leonardo and Safran. Messe Friedrichshafen, organiser of the well-known AERO Friedrichshafen is the service provider for the show. Further information is available at www.europeanrotors.eu.