2020 Miramar Air Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

MIRAMAR (KUSI) – The 2020 Miramar Air Show that had been scheduled for Sept. 25-27 has been canceled due to public health risks associated with the coronavirus pandemic, it was announced Monday.

“While we had initially hoped to host the show and help usher in a reopened San Diego, there are still a great many risks posed with a mass gathering of this size and scale to do it in a way that ensures our guests absolute safety,” said Col. Charles Dockery, commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. “It remains a prudent choice to look ahead to 2021 and make it better than ever.”

The largest military air show in the world is typically one of the largest single public events in San Diego, drawing more than 500,000 aviation enthusiasts from around the world.

Canceling the event “is a disappointment to us as well as many across the world, but the safety of our Marines and fellow San Diegans must come first,” a message on the base’s Twitter feed reads.

“Even with this cancellation, our team at the #1Airshow hopes to bring something special for you later this fall. It won’t be the show we’ve all come to know, but we will bring the best of Marine aviation and our civilian performers to you this September. Stand by for #2020Vision.”

The official press release announcing the cancellation from MCAS Miramar is below:

Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar and Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Miramar regretfully cancels the 2020 Miramar Air Show due to the public health risks associated with COVID-19.

The Miramar Air Show is the largest military air show in the world and is typically one of the largest single public events in San Diego, drawing in upwards of 500,000 guests and spectators from around the world each year.

With COVID-19 continuing to spread in communities in California and beyond, Col. Charles Dockery, Commanding Officer of MCAS Miramar, made the decision to suspend this fall’s scheduled event and look to begin the early planning for a show in 2021.

“The Miramar Air Show brings in aviation enthusiasts from all across the United States and from every corner of the world. While we had initially hoped to host the show and help usher in a re-opened San Diego, there are still a great many risks posed with a mass gathering of this size and scale to do it in a way that ensures our guests absolute safety. It remains a prudent choice to look ahead to 2021 and make it better than ever.” – Col. Charles Docker, Commanding Officer, MCAS Miramar.

Sponsors, vendors, and chalet clients may contact Marine Corps Community Services at 858-307-6365 for customized plans for the 2021 Miramar Air Show.