EAA AirVenture Sets New Attendance Records

If you think EAA AirVenture 2018 seemed a bit bigger than in years passed, you would be right. AirVenture officials report about 601,000 people were on the grounds throughout the week – nearly a two-percent jump from last year’s record of 590,000. 

There were also more than 100,000 aircraft that arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, along with other airports around the area. There were also 2,979 showplanes, 1,160 home-built, 1,094 vintage planes, 377 warbirds, 185 ultralights, 75 seaplanes, 22 rotorcraft, 52 aerobatic airplanes, and 14 hot air ballons. There was also a record number of 2,714 visitors from 87 different countries – most coming from Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

According to a 2017 UW-Oshkosh study, the estimated economic impact on five counties surrounding EAA totaled about $170-million. Next year will be the 50^th straight year for the show in Oshkosh.