AVIATION fans face further disappointment after it was announced that the 2020 Tees Valley Airshow due to be held in May is the latest victims of the covid-19 lockdown.

The cancellation of Sunderland’s annual three-day aerial extravaganza scheduled for July was confirmed last week.

The event due to have taken place at Teesside International Airport has been postponed until further notice in line with Government guidelines. It was last held three years ago. All tickets already purchased will be honoured on the new date.

Exhibitors, partners, performers and display teams are being contacted individually regarding any rescheduling.

Organiser Chris Petty said: “We were really looking forward to re-launching the Tees Valley Airshow after two summers away, but we have come to the decision to postpone the event in light of the on-going coronavirus situation.

“Ultimately, the health and welfare of the general public comes before anything else and we wanted people to enjoy the airshow secure in the knowledge that they were in a safe environment. As we don’t know how this outbreak is likely to progress, we are halting the event until further notice.

“We would like to thank the support of the Tees Valley Mayor, Combined Authority, Teesside International Airport and all of our partners and sponsors, who have been so enthusiastic and share our vision for a brilliant family day out which will hopefully become a staple of the Tees Valley events calendar.

“We’re still committed to seeing our airshow take off once again, and we will be announcing a new date as soon as we can.”