AIRPOWER24 took place from September 6th to 7th under the motto “Flying. Freedom. Enthusiasm” took place for the 11th time at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg. “The enthusiasm of our visitors was noticeable to all of us on these two days – for example the long applause after our ‘Argonauts’ display and at numerous other displays, such as the dogfight between the two Eurofighters. I am pleased that we as organizers, together with our partners Red Bull and the state of Styria, were able to create so many enthusiastic reactions and so much joy here in Zeltweg! I would also like to thank my entire project team, who did a great job here,” explains Major General Gerfried Promberger, overall manager of AIRPOWER24 and commander of the Austrian Air Force, in a press conference at the end of AIRPOWER24.
Significant impulse for the Murtal
Due to the additional demand in the areas of tourism, leisure, trade and gastronomy, the AIRPOWER weekend brings added value of around 10 million euros in Styria. “AIRPOWER is a success story for the Murtal and Styria. The largest air show in Europe gives us the opportunity to put Styria in an international showcase as a tourism destination and technology location. Tens of thousands of guests generate additional overnight stays and the involvement of local companies ensures enormous regional added value,” says State Councilor for Economic Affairs and Tourism Barbara Eibinger-Miedl.
Prieler: “High training value achieved!”
“AIRPOWER24 was attended by a total of 250,000 visitors here at the event site on the two days of the event. Yesterday, despite adverse weather conditions, 100,000 guests visited us, today there were 150,000 visitors in the best conditions. One thing is very important to emphasize: AIRPOWER24 is by no means an event for the Austrian Air Force alone, but rather for almost all areas of the Austrian Armed Forces and the central office. With their in-depth preparation and implementation, all the units and forces of the land and air forces involved are creating the conditions for an unprecedented major event, namely Europe’s largest air show. Just a comparison: In the last few days, we have jointly organized the logistical basis for the quantitative flow of the population from all of Salzburg into a city with almost 7,000 inhabitants – and this also in important areas such as sanitation, food, waste management, etc also health care. AIRPOWER24 represents a high training value for the deployed militia, medical personnel and logistics of the armed forces!”, Brigadier Wolfgang Prieler, project manager of AIRPOWER24, presents the official visitor numbers of AIRPOWER24.
Europe’s largest air show was planned down to the smallest detail for over a year. A total of around 6,200 employees were deployed at this year’s airshow, including 3,793 people from the Federal Ministry of Defense, including 3,351 soldiers, including 846 from the militia. More than 300 people were employed in the area of medical care, including 75 doctors and 190 paramedics.
Riedmann: “I saw a lot of smiling, happy and amazed faces!”
“Two wonderful days at AIRPOWER24 are coming to an end for us. We often call it a ‘home game in the Murtal’, but it is much more than that – it is two days of performances at the highest level. AIRPOWER24 is a real celebration of aviation, which is evident in the joy and enthusiasm of the spectators. When we look out of the cockpit and see a sea of fans – including many families on picnic blankets and deck chairs – that is something very special for us too. These are impressions that you never forget and the positive response from the audience is the greatest reward for us Flying Bulls. On behalf of Red Bull and the Flying Bulls, I would especially like to thank our partners – the Austrian Armed Forces and the State of Styria – for the great cooperation in advance and of course to AIRPOWER24. And of course once again to our fans: Thank you very much!” said Raimund Riedmann, Flying Bulls.