Almost 100,000 visitors

Days of Thunder: Great Airpower air show starts

Spectacle: the performance of the F35.

(Bild: Pail Sepp/Sepp Pail)

Airpower 24 is underway - and after midday the rain at Zeltweg airbase has also stopped. The flight program could not be completed in full, so the show by the Spanish aerobatic team was cancelled. However, the spectacular performance of an American F-35 caused quite a stir.

It was a highlight of Airpower 24: shortly after 1 p.m. there was a display by an F-35 Lightning II from the Vermont National Air Guard, which experts say is the most modern fighter jet in the world. Pilot Melanie "Mach" Kluesner provided a loud spectacle and much joy for the now almost 100,000 fans at the site.

Rain all morning long
But back to the start: Airpower opened punctually at 9 a.m. on Friday. Tens of thousands of people had been flocking to the site since the early hours of the morning, despite the thick clouds and rain. The hoped-for improvement in the weather did not materialize until after midday, but many fans were well equipped and braved the rain.

The fans proved to be weatherproof.

(Bild: Pail Sepp/Sepp Pail)

The flight program therefore had to be partially changed, some program items could not be carried out - and will not be made up for in the afternoon even if the weather improves. For example, the Spanish aerobatic team Patrulla Aguila remained on the ground and the skydivers from the Flying Bulls were also unable to perform. 

Spectacular performances in front of dense clouds

(Bild: Pail Sepp/Sepp Pail)

"The weather situation was difficult to predict"
"The situation in the morning was difficult to predict," explains military meteorologist Philipp Raffler. A so-called high-low core persisted over Zeltweg and caused rain. "It's often only a few kilometers that determine where the precipitation falls." 

The weather improves around 1 p.m. and the sky is already slightly blue. However, according to Raffler, there is still a small chance of showers in the afternoon, and slope clouds are also to be expected.

Military meteorologist Philipp Raffler

(Bild: Traby Jakob)

Big rush expected on Saturday
There was a huge traffic jam around Zeltweg in the morning hours. Waiting times of up to an hour were reported, especially from the Zeltweg-West exit. Nevertheless, those responsible are satisfied with the concept. Shortly after 9 a.m., the flow of people began to ease - probably also due to the weather. However, it is to be feared that even more fans will come on Saturday, which is already traditionally more popular - the weather forecast is very good: with sunshine and up to 26 degrees. According to meteorologist Raffler, however, high fog could restrict flight operations in the morning.

Long waiting times for drivers around Zeltweg.

(Bild: Pail Sepp/Krone KREATIV)

According to police spokesman Markus Lamb, there have been no safety-relevant incidents so far. However, some drones have already been spotted and fended off, for example by a group of campers. This is strictly forbidden! Charges and potentially severe penalties will follow.

Nine-year-old run over by bus
There was also an accident involving a boy (9) from the western Styrian district of Deutschlandsberg. The schoolboy had been riding a mountain bike with his father and friends from Fisching in the direction of the air base. Because of the traffic, he was riding on a sidewalk, lost his balance and fell onto the road, where he was run over by a bus. The boy was seriously injured and flown to Graz University Hospital by the C17 rescue helicopter.

The airbase filled up in the morning.

(Bild: Pail Sepp/Sepp Pail)

Tanner hopes for the next Airpower in 2026
Airpower normally takes place every three years. This has now been broken, and so there will be another air show at Hinterstoisser Air Base after 2022. And Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) announced to the "Krone" newspaper that she would like to maintain this rhythm: "If the partners (the province of Styria and Red Bull, note) cooperate."

Up to 150,000 visitors are expected every day. They can expect a packed flight program from 9 am to around 5.30 pm. Among the highlights are performances by international aerobatic teams: this year, the Patrulla Águila from Spain and the Patrouille Suisse will be among the performers. This may be the last time the Swiss can be seen in Austria, as the F-5 fleet will be decommissioned in 2027.

The "Flying Bulls" will be making several appearances.

(Bild: Aviation PhotoCrew / Red Bull Content Pool)

Austrian Armed Forces show off new equipment
As always, the historic aircraft rarities of the "Flying Bulls" and state-of-the-art fifth-generation fighter jets such as the US F-35 Lightning II will also be on display. As the main organizer, the Austrian Armed Forces will of course also be demonstrating their flying skills - and with new equipment, such as the AW-169 "Lion" multi-purpose helicopter. The new C-390 transport aircraft can be inspected on the ground. There will also be flight demonstrations of possible successors to the Saab 105, including the favored M-346. In addition, there will be a separate show on the planned European air defense alliance "Sky Shield".

The facts

• In total, over 6500 members of the Austrian Armed Forces are deployed at Airpower, including 4500 soldiers.
• More than 300 journalists will be reporting from Hinterstoisser Air Base.
• Airpower generates an additional nine to ten million euros in added value .
• The event is organized by the Austrian Armed Forces, the Province of Styria and Red Bull. The costs amount to 4.2 million euros.

Premieres: From Argonauts to e-fuel duel
There are also premieres in the program. Both days will end with the Argonauts: No fewer than 25 aircraft from the Austrian Armed Forces - accompanied by music composed in-house by Tristan Schulze - will give a demonstration based on the famous Greek legend. Soldiers and special vehicles of the land forces, lots of pyrotechnics and special effects are also included.

World premiere for the "Argonauts"

(Bild: Bundesheer)

A flying greeting will come on Saturday (around 2.15 p.m.) from the newest member of the Austrian Airlines fleet: a Boeing Dreamliner (B787-9) will perform, among other things, a fast flyover followed by a tight turning maneuver.

A premiere will be a duel in the name of almost climate-neutral e-fuels: on the ground, Leopold Prinz von Bayern, ex-DTM pilot, will be driving his historic BMW 3.0 CSL ("Batmobile") from 1971, powered by it. In the air, Matthias Dolderer, world champion in the Red Bull Air Race, will be competing against him in a Swift Temco (born in 1947).

Arrival

• The earlier you arrive, the better. There are several parking areas around Zeltweg, from where you can get to the site on foot or by shuttle bus (shuttle trains run from the Kraubath parking lot). Please note: You need a parking ticket for 20 euros (10 euros for motorcycles), which is best purchased in advance via Ö-Ticket.
• Traffic jams on arrival and departure are to be expected. The closure of the B317 in the Perchauer Sattel area is a cause for concern; cars can take a detour via Teufenbach.
• Arrival by public transport is recommended. There are special trains from Villach, Salzburg, Vienna and Linz, and ÖBB is also increasing the frequency of local services. Shuttle buses will also be running from eight federal states.

Every visitor will be checked
Security is a top priority. The Austrian Armed Forces emphasize that there are no concrete indications of danger. Every visitor is checked at the 250 entrance gates - not by external security staff, but by militiamen from Vienna and Burgenland.

It goes without saying that knives, ammunition, pepper sprays and all flying devices such as drones are prohibited. Sun loungers and parasols are also prohibited. The same applies to glass bottles, bicycles and handcarts. Pets are also taboo! What you should definitely bring is ear protection - especially recommended for children.

Biggest exercise of the year
The Austrian Armed Forces are ready for two intensive days in Zeltweg: alongside the "Schutzschild" exercise in June, Airpower is the biggest exercise of the year and also a real operation. "There is no possibility of rehearsing, no mistakes are allowed," says Major General Gerfried Promberger, the man in charge of the air show.