Traffic backed up for kilometres as people tried to get to Ohakea for the Air Force 75th birthday displays in 2012.

Air force 80th birthday organisers are working hard to avoid a repeat of the traffic mayhem that slowed Ohakea-bound sightseers to a standstill at the last major air show four years ago.

Park and drive options are expected to help limit any problems for the 2017 bash.

In 2012, the traffic jam of people trying to get to the 75th anniversary celebration backed up 12km toward Whanganui and the 28km-trip from Palmerston North took several hours as an estimated 70,000 people packed out the show, and many others abandoned the attempt.

Event organiser Renee Barbour said Beca consultants, the New Zealand Transport Agency and local councils were working together on a traffic management plan so the congestion would not be repeated.

The Ohakea Air Tattoo is planned for February 25 and 26, 2017.

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Barbour said numbers to next year's show would be limited to 50,000 each day and people would have to buy tickets, with no open entry on the days.

There would be no parking on the base, with nearby farm land between Pukenui and Tangimoana roads available for those who chose to buy a parking pass and drive.

There would be significant no-parking restrictions on roads around the base, with some road closures.

The goal would be to encourage people coming from New Plymouth and Whanganui to park at the Bulls Polo Ground and those from Palmerston North or south to park at Manfeild, and catch a bus.

Both sites would open at 6am, with the first buses running from 6.30am.

Dedicated bus routes would help with moving people promptly between the parks and the air force base.

Another prong of the plan would be to reduce the amount of through traffic trying to get past Ohakea on the state highway by about half.

Diversions would add little extra travelling time for other traffic and would avoid the risk of delays around the base.

Traffic flows would be monitored on the day and people would be advised to check the transport agency's DriveLive Manawatu web page for up-to-date information on travel times.

Barbour said the goal was to make it easier for people to get to and from Ohakea and for other people to be able to go about their normal lives without hassle.

The tattoo is expected to showcase air force history, the latest aircraft and new capability, with displays in the sky and on the ground, and a chance to see international military aircraft. Programme details are yet to be confirmed.

It was expected to attract 40 per cent of its attendance from the Manawatu-Whanganui region, about 30 per cent from Wellington, and 20 per cent from Auckland.

Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the event would provide a significant boost to the city.

"It will be one of our busier weekends. If you can't make money in Palmerston North that weekend, you shouldn't be in business."