Airports Are a Trillion-Dollar Powerhouse for U.S. Economy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 8, 2014

 

ATLANTA — Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) today announced the findings of its most recent economic impact study, The Economic Impact of Commercial Airports in 2013.  Prepared for ACI-NA by the firm CDM Smith, this study analyzes the contribution U.S. airports made to the nation’s economy during the past year, including employment numbers, payroll figures, and output generated.

“The clear takeaway from this latest study is that our nation’s airports continue to be a tremendous source of economic activity around the country and across all hub sizes,” said ACI-NA President and CEO Kevin M. Burke.  “Individually, the airport is the cornerstone of many local economies, and collectively airports spur an annual output of more than $1 trillion.  Not only does our commercial aviation system rely on such a robust network of airports throughout the United States, but so do a myriad other industries.  Our airports connect the people, products, and services that comprise the U.S. economy with markets across the country and around the world.”

The Economic Impact of Commercial Airports in 2013 examines data from more than 90 state and local economic impact analyses encompassing 485 commercial airports in the U.S.  In addition to their collective national output of $1.1 trillion, U.S. airports support a total of 9.6 million jobs and create a total payroll of $358 billion.

“Our study also makes it clear that airports have proved to be a linchpin for economic growth and stability for many American communities in recent years,” continued Burke.  “Despite rising fuel prices, airline consolidation, and the ongoing recovery from the Great Recession, airports continue to be a powerhouse for our local, state, and national economies.  With smart investments and necessary capital improvements, our commercial airport system will be ideally positioned to help transform how we all do business well in to the 21st century.”

 

About ACI-NA

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) represents local, regional, and state governing bodies that own and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA member airports enplane more than 95 percent of the domestic and virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in North America. Approximately 380 aviation-related businesses are also members of ACI-NA, providing goods and services to airports. Collectively, U.S. airports support more than 11.5 million jobs and account for $1.4 trillion in economic activity – or more than seven percent of the total U.S. GDP. Canadian airports support 405,000 jobs and contribute C$35 billion to Canada’s GDP. Learn more at www.airportscouncil.org.