GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) — While EAA Air Venture 2024 takes place in Oshkosh the week of July 22, the world’s largest air show will also have a big impact on Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB). The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® generally draws more than 500,000 people from 80 countries.
“While EAA does a great job accommodating the crowds, not everyone who attends is able to land their aircraft at Wittman Field or stay on the grounds,” explained GRB Airport Director Marty Piette, A.A.E. “That translates into business for us. Every year we host hundreds of pilots who land their aircraft at one of our two Fixed Base Operators (FBOs), Jet Air and Executive Air because of the ease, convenience and lower costs.” In 2023, the FBOs at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport saw more than 400 private aircraft during the week of EAA AirVenture.
Both FBOs offer a wide variety of services for the pilots and attendees, including an abundance of available parking, fuel and repairs, catering and ground transportation. For those coming from outside the U.S., they can clear U.S. Customs for free at GRB. “With our International Arrivals Terminal on site, they simply clear Customs at the terminal and then park at one of the two Fixed Base Operator ramps,” Piette added. Additionally, GRB’s vendors, the airlines with inbound flights to GRB and rental car partners all encounter a significant increase in the number of visitors coming to experience AirVenture and the surrounding areas.
The impact extends beyond the airport. Pilots and attendees stay in area hotels, eat at area restaurants, shop in local stores and visit local sites. “EAA AirVenture provides a great boost to our area’s summer tourism as well as international exposure for GRB and Northeast Wisconsin,” stated Brown County Executive Troy Streckenbach. “We welcome AirVenture visitors and encourage them to see everything our county and Northeast Wisconsin has to offer.”
In addition to the tourism and economic impact, there’s another advantage for area residents. “Even if you don’t attend AirVenture, it’s worth coming out to GRB’s fence lines to see the variety of interesting planes parked right in our own backyard,” added Piette. “You’ll see every type of aircraft imaginable. It’s a fun week of the year for those who love aviation.”
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