Brisbane airport CEO Gert-Jan De Graff issued an announcement Saturday 28 March. "is with great sadness Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has made the difficult decision to cancel the celebratory community events planned for the opening of Brisbane’s new runway later this year."

This decision to cancel the Community Day and Runway Fun Run planned for June has been made due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and public health directives from Government regarding public gathering restrictions. BAC CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff, said, "The well-being and safety of our people and the community is our priority.

"Given the significant logistical and operational preparation needed for events of this scale, planning has been well under way since last year with thousands of hours of hard work put in by our team and other partners to ensure these events were going to be spectacular.

"We are particularly saddened that we will not be able to celebrate the opening of this significant piece of infrastructure for our city and state with our community, which has been with us every step of the way during planning and construction of the runway.

"I would like to thank everyone who has contributed in the planning of these events to date.

"Your enthusiasm, creativity and ability to solve the many challenges that arise with events of this scale is to be commended. I am so very proud of the resilience and dedication of the entire team," Mr de Graaff said.

Brisbane’s new runway remains on track for completion later this year and details of its official opening will be advised in due course.

During this most challenging time facing the tourism and aviation industries, Brisbane Airport will remain open in a heavily reduced capacity and continue to deliver its essential services to the people of Brisbane and Queensland.

"Importantly, we know that this pandemic will end and when it does, Brisbane’s new runway will be essential to the recovery of so many industries.

"We will be here when this is over to once again connect people across the country and world and play our part in helping restore the economic health of our city and state," Mr de Graaff said.