EAA AirVenture Oshkosh posted a new attendance record at its 2024 edition, pushing the “world’s greatest aviation celebration” to new heights.
Organizers report approximately 686,000 attendees, up from 677,000 last year.
“This year’s tag line was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways,” said EAA CEO and chairman Jack Pelton.
“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.”
More than 10,000 visiting aircraft are connected with the show, arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman, organizers reported an average of 113 takeoffs and landings per hour over an 11-day period from July 18 to 28.
Oshkosh by the numbers
Total showplanes: 2,846, 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.
Camping: More than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.
Volunteers: Nearly 6,000 contributing more than 250,000 hours.
Commercial exhibitors: 861 (record number).
Forums, Workshops, and Presentations: More than 1,600 sessions hosted during the week at 65 venues.
Social Media, Internet and Mobile:More than 23.9 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with engagement of 3.7 million.
International guests: 2,581 attendees registering at the International Visitors Tent from a record-setting 98 countries outside the U.S., a nine percent increase over 2023.
Economic impact: US$170 million 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,” said Pelton. “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.”
