SCOTLAND’S National Airshow has been cancelled due to coronavirus.

The annual aerial extravaganza takes place at the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune, but organisers have decided to shelve the event for 2020.

More than 8,000 spectators attended the airshow last year, despite the gloomy weather, but it will be next year before the aerial display returns.

A spokeswoman for National Museums Scotland, which organises the event, told the Courier this morning (Thursday): “We are sorry to announce that Scotland’s National Airshow, which was due to take place on Saturday, July 25, 2020, at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian, has been cancelled.

“This is in light of the advice and measures currently being implemented by the UK and Scottish Governments in response to the outbreak of Covid-19 (voronavirus).

“Currently all of our museums are closed until further notice.

“This includes the National Museum of Scotland, the National Museum of Flight, the National Museum of Rural Life and the National War Museum at Edinburgh Castle.”

Last year’s attractions included a Wildcat HMA 2 maritime attack helicopter, a 19425 North American T6 Texan aircraft, a 1939 Spartan Executive, a Jet Provost training aircraft, a MiG-5 and a 1943 Catalina flying boat.

There was also plenty to entertain people on the ground, with visitors able to hear stories from the pilots of some of the iconic planes and the chance to explore the collections at the museum.

Provost John McMillan, who is the local authority’s spokesman for tourism and economic development, described the announcement as “very sad”.

He said: “Obviously, it is the wise and the right decision for the health of everybody and when you think about the fact they will need to book planes and exhibitors well in advance.

“I think it is such a great attraction for the county.

“I remember Simon Calder [travel writer] spoke at an East Lothian tourist conference and he said we are so lucky to be one of the few places in the UK that has got a Concorde.

“So many families, enthusiasts and fans of the whole air world would come to East Lothian and visit and, hopefully, when things get better, they will still come, but it is the right decision.

“I guess that is the issue, that nobody knows at what point the guidance will be lifted, but it is so sad.

“The team down there do a great job.”