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Organisers satisfied with AIRPOWER24
event site stormed by 250,000 visitors
Zeltweg (7th September) – From 6th to 7th September, AIRPOWER24 was held under the motto “Flying. Freedom. Enthusiasm” for the 11th time at Hinterstoisser Air Base in Zeltweg. “Our visitors’ enthusiasm was palpable for all of us over these two days – for example, during the long applause after our Argonauts display and at numerous other displays, such as the dogfight between the two Eurofighters. I am delighted that we, as organisers, together with our partners Red Bull and the Province of Styria, could generate many enthusiastic reactions and joy here in Zeltweg! I would also like to thank my entire project team who have done a great job here”, said Major General Gerfried Promberger, overall organiser of AIRPOWER24 and commander of the Austrian Air Force, in a press conference at the end of AIRPOWER24.
Significant boost for the Murtal
The AIRPOWER weekend generates added value of around €10 million in Styria thanks to the additional demand in the tourism, leisure, retail, and catering sectors. “AIRPOWER is a success story for the Murtal and Styria. Europe’s largest airshow allows us to showcase Styria internationally as a tourism destination and technology centre. Tens of thousands of guests will generate additional overnight stays, and the involvement of local companies will ensure enormous regional added value”, said Barbara Eibinger-Miedl, Styrian Minister of Economic Affairs and Tourism.
Prieler: “High training value achieved”
“AIRPOWER24 was visited by a total of 250,000 visitors over the two days of the event here at the exhibition centre. Yesterday, 100,000 guests visited us despite the adverse weather conditions, and today, 150,000 visitors attended in perfect conditions. One very important thing to emphasise is that AIRPOWER24 is by no means an event organised by the Austrian Air Force alone but by almost all areas of the Austrian Armed Forces and the Central Command. With their profound preparation and realisation, all participating units and forces of the land and air forces create the conditions for an unprecedented major event, namely Europe’s largest airshow. Just one comparison: Over the past few days, we have jointly organised the logistical basis for the influx of the population of the whole of Salzburg into a town of just under 7,000 inhabitants – and also in important sub-areas such as sanitation, catering, waste management, and medical supplies. AIRPOWER24 represents great training value for the deployed militia, the medical services, and the logistics of the Austrian Armed Forces”, said Brigadier Wolfgang Prieler, Project Manager of AIRPOWER24, presenting the official visitor figures for AIRPOWER24.
Europe’s largest airshow was planned down to the smallest detail for over a year. Around 6,200 employees were involved in this year’s airshow, including 3,793 people from the Federal Ministry of Defence, 3,351 of whom were soldiers and 846 from the militia. Over 300 people were employed in medical care, including 75 doctors and 190 paramedics.
Riedmann: “I saw many smiling, happy and astonished 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’s much more than that – it’s two days of demonstrations at the very highest level. AIRPOWER24 is a real celebration of aviation, as you can see from 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 deckchairs – it’s special for us, too. These are impressions you will never forget, and the positive response from the spectators is the greatest reward for us, the Flying Bulls. On behalf of Red Bull and the Flying Bulls, I would like to thank our partners – the Austrian Armed Forces and the Province of Styria – for their great cooperation in the run-up to the event and, of course, AIRPOWER24. And especially, once again, to our fans: Many thanks!” said Raimund Riedmann, Flying Bulls.
Query note:
Lieutenant Colonel Lukas Leitner
Ltr InfoOps / AIRPOWER24
Phone: 0664 / 622 7786
Mail: lukas.leitner@bundesheer.at