Record Numbers Reported at EAA AirVenture 2024

Many of the airshow's attendees flew themselves into Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with  more than 10,000 aircraft making the annual sojourn, according to the EAA. Show officials noted that between July 18-28 there were some 16,780 aircraft operations at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH). Many more pilots opted to fly to nearby airports and use ground transport to get to the show.

The grounds were always populated as around 40,000 opted to camp on-site in tents, trailers, and campers. There was a lot to see. The number of aircraft on display—recorded as 2,846 total—included 337 warbirds, 1,200 vintage, 975 homebuilt, 82 aerobatic aircraft, 65 seaplanes and amphibious designs, 23 rotorcraft, 10 balloons, and 154 ultralights and light aircraft.

“This year’s tagline was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation,’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways," said Jack Pelton, EAA CEO and chairman. "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.”

There was a lot to see and do, as a record 861 commercial exhibitors set up shop in the hangars and on the grounds, offering everything from training programs and airplanes to organizational memberships and products geared toward aviators and aviation enthusiasts.

For those who wished to add to their aviation knowledge, there were more than 1,600 forums and workshops on everything from using ForeFlight to picking the right aircraft for you.

AirVenture is a worldwide phenomenon, as noted by the record 98 countries represented by the 2,581 attendees who registered at the international visitors tent.

Journalists from 836 media outlets from around the world roamed the grounds looking for news and features about the latest and greatest in aviation. Many of them provided content for social media. EAA estimates more than 23.9 million partook of the show virtually, noting total social media video views at 17 million—a 149 percent increase over 2023.

"More than 142,000 hours of AirVenture livestreaming and on-demand videos were viewed during the event," EAA said.

AirVenture could not happen were it not for the thousands of volunteers who give their time and expertise to the show. This year nearly 6,000 volunteers contributed more than 250,000 hours, doing everything from parking airplanes to driving trams and helping the EAA staff make the mammoth event run smoothly.

Their work is greatly appreciated, according to Pelton.

“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,” he said. “Kudos to our dedicated volunteers and staff who plan and adjust to make it work.”

In the meantime the EAA Aviation Foundation’s annual event to support its aviation education programs raised a record $2.8 million. The focus of the foundation is growing participation in aviation.

AirVenture is a money maker. According to an economic impact study conducted by the University of Wisconsin in 2017, the show brings in $170 million for Winnebago, Outagamie, Fond du Lac, Calumet, and Brown counties.

Already there's been discussion about AirVenture 2025.

“We’ve 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.”