EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 sees record attendance, averts runway collision

The 2026 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh attracted a record‑breaking 734,000 visitors over its seven‑day run, surpassing the previous high of 704,000. Attendees came from 98 countries, with more than 10,000 aircraft operating at Wittman Regional Airport and surrounding fields. The show displayed 2,851 aircraft, including vintage planes, home‑built aircraft, warbirds and ultralights, and hosted over 1,600 forums and workshops. Volunteers contributed nearly 300,000 hours, and the event’s fundraising gala raised a record $2.85 million for aviation education.

During the same week, air traffic controllers averted a potential disaster when two general‑aviation planes attempted to land on opposite ends of the same runway at the same time. One aircraft was on final for runway 27 while another, without radio contact, approached runway 09 in the opposite direction. The controller instructed the first pilot to abort the landing, and the pilot complied, preventing a head‑on collision. The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing the incident as part of its ongoing safety oversight of the high‑density airspace created by the fly‑in.