The Portugal Air Summit will not take place in Ponte de Sor this year after organisers decided to pause the event and rethink its future format.

Ponte de Sor Council and the municipality’s Commercial and Industrial Association (ACIPS) announced the decision this Tuesday (August 18), saying it marked the beginning of a “new phase” in the summit’s development.

Mayor Rogério Alves said the event had achieved its original aim of establishing Ponte de Sor and the surrounding region as an important centre for aviation and aeronautics.

“The original goal was to put Ponte de Sor at the heart of the sector, and we achieved that. We even went beyond it, because we managed to put this small inland district on the world map of aviation, aeronautics and defence,” he told Lusa news agency.

However, the growth of Portugal’s aeronautical sector and the appearance of several similar events across the country have made it more difficult for the summit to stand out.

“As we do not want to hold an event merely out of tradition, but rather so that it adds value, we are taking this break and will seek to ensure the event evolves and improves,” Alves said.

First held in 2017 at Ponte de Sor Municipal Aerodrome in the Alentejo region, the Portugal Air Summit was among Portugal’s first major forums dedicated to aviation, aeronautics, space and defence.

Across seven editions, the event generated more than €290 million in reported business opportunities and attracted over 300,000 visitors, 948 national and international speakers, and 553 exhibitors and organisations.

Organisers estimate that it also generated an economic impact of €11.1 million for the region, including around 15,000 overnight stays.

The council and ACIPS will now assess how best to develop the Portugal Air Summit brand and continue promoting Ponte de Sor’s aeronautical cluster.

Alves insisted the decision does not mean the event has been permanently discontinued.

“The brand is alive and well and remains part of the municipality’s strategy,” he said.

Organisers said the summit would return when holding it once again offered “genuine added value” for Ponte de Sor, the sector and Portugal.

Source: Lusa