air cargo Africa, the sector’s leading industry exhibition and conference, has been rescheduled to take place in February 2023.

Messe Muenchen South Africa, organiser of this key biennial event, notes that the COVID-19 pandemic, with associated lockdown and air travel restrictions, informed the decision to cancel the 2021 edition of air cargo Africa and stage the next event, as scheduled, in 2023.

Suzette Scheepers, chief executive officer of Messe Muenchen South Africa, says: “In these disruptive times, we had to take into consideration a number of factors impacting the event: the health and safety of stakeholders and visitors; the uncertain environment exhibitors find themselves in as many borders remain closed; and the need for industry stakeholders to focus on their core operational strategies at this time.”

Messe Muenchen South Africa notes that the event was scheduled for February 9-11 2021, only months away from the expected COVID-19 peak in South Africa. “The health and safety of everyone taking part in our events is our top priority. As this event was to take place so early in the new year, we had to conclude that the conditions would not be optimal for a successful trade fair yet,” Scheepers says.

“The cancellation of air cargo Africa may come as a disappointment to many, but we believe this will give our stakeholders an opportunity to adapt to the changing environment, innovate for the new normal, and return to air cargo Africa 2023 with new insights and enthusiasm for the future of the air cargo industry in Africa,” she says.

“We look forward to welcoming back our partners, exhibitors and visitors at air cargo Africa 2023, which will be held on February 21-23 2023. We look forward to meeting our stakeholders at Messe Munich’s next air cargo trade shows in Munich and India respectively.”