PHOTO: Courtesy of WLUK
OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Attendance soared at this year’s EAA AirVenture.
Officials said Tuesday attendance for the 2024 fly-in convention hit 686,000. That number surpassed 2023’s record-high attendance of 677,000.
Additionally, there were more than 2,580 international attendees from 98 countries outside the U.S., marking a 9% increase from 2023.
“This year’s tag line was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways. The mix of innovation, history, excitement, and fun that is a hallmark of Oshkosh was present throughout the grounds and made the event a memorable one, filled with numerous ‘Only at Oshkosh’ moments in the air and on the grounds,” said EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton in a news release.
More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport and other regional airports throughout the event. At Wittman alone, there were 16,780 aircraft operations from July 18-28 — an average of approximately 113 takeoffs/landings per hour.
There was also a total of 2,846 showplanes, including 1,200 vintage aircraft, 975 homebuilt aircraft, 337 warbirds, 154 ultralights and light planes, 82 aerobatic aircraft, 65 seaplanes and amphibians, 23 rotorcraft and 10 balloons.
“Over the past decade, and especially since 2020, we have seen AirVenture move to another level, as we maintain the heart of the event while adding programs and activities that appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all interests. Kudos to our dedicated volunteers and staff who plan and adjust to make it work,” Pelton said.
Other statistics include:
- More than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors
- Nearly 6,000 contributing in excess of 250,000 hours
- 861 commercial exhibitors (record number)
- More than 1,600 sessions hosted during the week at 65 venues
- 836 media representatives on-site from six continents
Based on a 2017 UW-Oshkosh economic impact study, EAA AirVenture generates about $170 million economic impact for the five counties in the Oshkosh region. (Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet and Brown).
“We’ve already received plenty of ideas for next year and a little bit later this summer, we’ll begin reviewing what might be possible for 2025,” Pelton said. “Our annual goal is to create a gathering of people and airplanes that is found nowhere else in the world, and continue to improve the experience for EAA members and visitors.”
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