EAA AirVenture Oshkosh marks another year of record attendance. Here are 2024's final numbers.

OSHKOSH – 686,000 people.

861 exhibitors.

98 countries.

One record-setting year for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh .

The world’s biggest aviation show just continues to grow after last week’s fly-in convention set new marks in attendance, exhibitors and overseas participation at Oshkosh's Wittman Regional Airport.

EAA CEO and Chairman Jack Pelton confirmed the numbers in a news release two days after the 71st edition of AirVenture attracted approximately 686,000 people between July 22-28.

“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,” Pelton wrote.

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

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It was another record-setting edition for the world-renowned aviation show, which was just one year removed from reaching new marks in attendance (677,000), commercial exhibitors (848) and countries represented outside of the United States (93) in 2023.

The build-up alone for this year’s convention suggested Oshkosh was in for more record numbers, especially after the ever-popular Canadian Forces Snowbirds made an early commitment to fly at AirVenture.

The Frecce Tricolori , the military aerobatic team representing the Italian Air Force, was also a huge drawing card while the crowds turned out to greet Miss America Madison Marsh — an active member of the U.S. Air Force.

And people just couldn’t get enough of the state-of-the-art drone show on Wednesday and Saturday nights.

It didn’t hurt that Oshkosh enjoyed fantastic weather for most of the week.

As such, around 686,000 people took part in AirVenture and more than 10,000 aircraft landed at Wittman Field and other surrounding airports in northeast Wisconsin.

EAA also revealed there were a total of 2,581 international attendees from 98 countries — a 9% increase from last year.

“The drone show coming in was fantastic because it was something new and something really unusual, and that helps to attract people,” EAA Director of Communications Dick Knapinski said.

“The B-29s and the Lancaster being here at the same time and putting those in the air … people really love those.

“Then, fun little things like the Elvis jet and all of those little quirks from year to year to ensure things are never quite the same,” he added.

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Here’s a further look at the numbers:

• There were 2,846 show planes 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.
• 15,000 sites in aircraft and drive-in camping accounted for more than 40,000 visitors.
• More than 23.9 million people were reached by EAA’s social media channels during AirVenture, with an engagement of 3.7 million.
• Total social media video views totaled 17 million (up 149% over 2023). Nearly 45,000 social media followers were gained.

“This year’s tag line was ‘Inspiring the Future of Aviation’ and AirVenture 2024 certainly did that in countless ways,” Pelton said.

“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.”

2024 saw a single plane crash related to AirVenture — on July 22 when two men died after their plane crashed in a farm field about 2 miles south of the EAA AirVenture grounds. The victims were identified by the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office as Sean Tommervik, 37, of El Paso, Texas, and James Sullivan, 32, of Nashville.

Next year’s convention is slated for July 21-27, 2025, and Pelton said EAA is already looking at a series of new initiatives for the 2025 edition.

Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com .

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh marks another year of record attendance. Here are 2024's final numbers.