PUNTA GORDA — The 43rd Florida International Air Show, set to run Nov. 2-3, has been canceled due to the recent hurricanes, its leadership announced late Sunday
Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused “severe impacts” to the community, it noted in a news release.
“The safety and well-being of our attendees, volunteers, and community are our top priority, and given the extensive damage and challenges these storms have brought, it is clear that moving forward with the event is not possible at this time,” Florida International Air Show President Denise Dull stated in the news release.
She noted the many disruptions the hurricanes caused.
“Our community is currently focused on recovery and providing support to those in need. While the Air Show has always been a celebration of resilience and togetherness, we believe that our efforts are best directed toward rebuilding and ensuring that our neighbors and loved ones are safe and supported,” she stated.
Its community partners, including Punta Gorda Airport, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Charlotte County Fire Rescue, are heavily involved in the initial recovery, it noted. The Air Show would become an “extra workload” during this timeframe.