USAF Thunderbirds Credit: Photo via coachwood/Adobe

Traffic is going to be hell for AirFest this weekend at Tampa’s MacDill Air Force Base.

An advisory from the City of Tampa says upwards of 150,000 people are expected to flood the site over two days, and notes that mass transportation will not be allowed “due to personnel and logistical issues.” What’s more is that the base discourages the use of ridesharing, and instead “recommends guests carpool using their own transportation.”

Folks are allowed to walk onsite, however, and if you take a bike there, know that you have to wear a helmet on base.

Airplane freaks might still want to grind it out though, and not just for the Air Force Thunderbirds, or loads of vintage and new aircraft. A rep for MacDill—home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command—told WVTV that AirFest won’t return until 2028, due to hangar expansion to accommodate new tanker planes.

There’s no cover for Tampa Bay AirFest 2024 happening Friday-Saturday, March 29-30 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
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