EAA AirVenture 2024 racked up remarkable record-breaking numbers for the weeklong event held recently in Oshkosh, WI.
“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.”
Attendance was estimated at 686,000, the highest total on record up from the previous year’s total of 677,000. “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,” noted Pelton. “Kudos to our dedicated volunteers and staff who plan and adjust to make it work.”
Total aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin exceeded 10,000. At Wittman alone EAA reports that there were 16,780 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 18-28, which is an average of approximately 113 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport was open.
The total number of showplanes was 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.
In other categories, more than 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors and this year nearly 6,000 volunteers contributed in excess of 250,000 hours.
A record number of 861 commercial exhibitors were on hand, and more than 1,600 forums, workshops and presentations took place during the week at 65 different venues.
International guests totaled 2,581 attendees registering at the International Visitors Tent from a record-setting 98 countries outside the U.S. This was a 9 percent increase over 2023. As a significant number of international visitors do not officially register at the tent when they arrive, the actual international visitor total is much higher.
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 is scheduled for July 21-27, 2025. “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,” stated 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.”
