Attendance Down Estimated 10 Percent
There was more news at this year's AirVenture celebration than
any time in recent memory... but, alas, there were fewer people.
That's the word from the EAA, which on Tuesday released attendance
figures for the weeklong aviation event.
According to the EAA, total attendance is estimated at 625,000
-- an approximate decrease of 10 percent over 2005. That could be
due to a variety of factors, said EAA President Tom
Poberezny.
"We had anticipated an attendance decrease after the unique
attractions that highlighted the 2005 event. Attendance was also
affected by factors such as the difficulties caused by unfavorable
weather compared to last year, and the past year's sharp increase
in fuel prices -- with auto fuel prices above three dollars a
gallon, and aviation fuel prices topping four dollars per gallon in
many regions."
In all, greater than 10,000 airplanes flocked to Wittman
Regional Airport and other airports in east-central Wisconsin for
AirVenture, with a preliminary figure of 2,310 showplanes onsite --
including 852 homebuilts, 798 Vintage airplanes, 387 warbirds, 130
ultralights, 121 seaplanes and 22 rotorcraft.
"EAA AirVenture 2006 was a tremendous event -- innovation and
technology are an important part of our event, and 2006 featured
more new aviation announcements than any EAA fly-in in history,"
said Poberezny. "In addition, there were many more activities and
events that added value for EAA members and aviation
enthusiasts. Comments from visitors are overwhelmingly
positive about the aircraft, events and organization of EAA
AirVenture, which is a credit to the volunteers, staff and
community who work hard to make it successful."
According to the EAA, 1,704 international visitors from 65
nations registered at the International Visitor's Tent,
with Canada, Australia and South Africa representing the top three
countries. As not all foreign visitors registered, however, the EAA
is quick to point out the true number of international visitors was
undoubtably larger.
There were 812 commercial exhibitors at Wittman Field, as well
as 868 media representatives... from six continents (now we
know why Jim is talking of opening an ANN Antarctic
branch -- Ed.)
"We're already looking forward to EAA AirVenture 2007 on July 23
through 29 next year," the EAA president added.
So are we!
(Editor's Note -- As usual, ANN disagrees
somewhat with the EAA's published attendance figures... but not in
the way you might think. If anything, we believe we saw MORE
people on the field this year than in years past... even taking
into account last year's crowdpleasers such as the arrivals of
SpaceShipOne and the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer.
(Granted, they have the numbers and we don't... but could it
be that the EAA, ever aware of the flack other shows have received
by OVER-inflating their figures, is being perhaps a bit cautious
with their numbers this time around?)