Date Published: 10/07/2024
San Javier Air Festival soars to success, bringing 6.2 million to the town
ARCHIVED ARTICLE -
The aerial aerobatics provided a huge financial boost to every kind of business in San Javier
The skies over San Javier were not just a display of aerial acrobatics and military might during
the International Air Festival held this May; the stunning event also signalled a huge boost to the local economy, bringing in a staggering 6,198,500 euros, according to a study by the University of Murcia's Political Communication Laboratory.
This influx of revenue was felt across various sectors, including accommodation (924,119 euros), catering (1.5 million euros), shopping (650,471 euros) and other expenses (2.1 million euros).

The Mayor of San Javier, José Miguel Luengo, presented the impressive study findings alongside the Minister for Tourism, Carmen María Conesa. The event, held at the Institute of Tourism of the Region of Murcia, underscored the festival's success in attracting visitors from across the country. Indeed, 55% of attendees travelled from other municipalities in the Region of Murcia, highlighting its broad appeal.
A representative from the research team provided additional insights into the festival-goer demographics. The gender split was nearly equal, with 50.8% women and 49.2% men, and attendees came from near and far, with 22.5% from other autonomous communities, 3% from abroad and 19.5% from San Javier itself.
The motivation for attending varied, with 54% drawn by their passion for military aviation and 27.8% seeing it as an opportunity for a fun weekend with family and friends. The festival's family-friendly nature was evident, with three out of four attendees bringing their loved ones along.

The weekend was packed full of other event happening alongside the aeronautical displays and these proved immensely popular, with 32.7% of festival-goers taking part. And the town's attractions, like the
Museo Tiflológico Aeronáutico, benefited from the influx, with 29% of visitors exploring San Javier’s tourist sites.
When it came to spending, 4.3% of people stayed in hotels for an average of 2.4 days, and a remarkable 59% dined in local restaurants or bars, contributing an average of 29.80 euros per person to the local food scene. The shopping sector also thrived, with 31% of visitors making purchases, and the overall spending per person averaged a healthy 56.40 euros.
Overall, the festival received high marks from attendees, with scores ranging from 8.2 to 9.3 out of 10. The air shows and security were the most highly regarded aspects. An impressive 96.5% of visitors plan to return next year, and a whopping 98% would recommend the experience to others.
Mayor Luengo promised that future festivals will continue to put San Javier on the map, announcing that next year's edition will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Patrulla Águila with a military focus.
He also shared plans for the San Javier Town Council to continue organising these festivals annually, further establishing the municipality as “the city of the air.”