It has also come as a might relief to the Ipex organiser, which is aiming for 50 per cent of the expected 70,000 visitors to come from overseas, primarily by plane. A six day flight ban over the course of the show, slated for May 18-25 would be a severe blow, but is deemed extremely unlikely.

Trade shows have been hit by external circumstances before, LabelExpo had just opened its doors in Chicago when the September 11 terrorism attacks grounded air travel, emptying the show and preventing further visitors attending.

In 1986 drupa was in the direct pathway of the radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, but the show as well underway by that stage and the prospect of radioactive air did little to dampen the enthusiasm of the world’s printers, who attended in record numbers. And a Fespa trade show was cancelled in Bombay last year after the terrorism attacks.

The unprecedented recent six day ban on air travel caused the cancellation of 95,000 flights into and across Europe, leaving Aussies stranded at various points around the globe. However the ash emissions are now dying down with no further predicted outpouring between now and the middle of May, when Ipex will open its doors.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@sprinter.com.au.  

Sign up to the Sprinter newsletter