Va. airports contribute $28.8 billion to economy
Tuesday September 20, 2011
Section Business
Page 1
Va. airports contribute $28.8 billion to economy
Study of 2010 figures also shows airports provide 259,000 jobs
Virginia's airports are economic engines that contribute billions in economic activity and create and sustain thousands of jobs, a recent study found.
The study by the Virginia Department of Aviation analyzed the economic impact in 2010 of the state's nine commercial airports, such as Richmond International, and 57 general aviation airports, including the airports in Hanover, Chesterfield and New Kent counties.
The state's airports contributed $28.8 billion in economic activity. They also create and sustain about 259,000 jobs and have $11.1 billion in payroll.
Commercial service airports, such as Washington Dulles International, Reagan Washington National and Richmond International, accounted for 71 percent of the total economic activity of all of the state's commercial and general aviation airports.
Washington Dulles and Washington National combined were the biggest contributors, creating $17.5 billion in economic activity.
Richmond International contributed $1.08 billion in economic activity and generated 10,910 jobs with a payroll of $350.2 million, the study says.
General aviation airports contributed $728 million in economic activity. They accounted for nearly 5,200 jobs and have a payroll of more than $114 million.
The Hanover airport had$29.36 million in economic activity with 191 jobs generating a payroll of $8.38 million.
Chesterfield's airport contributed $27.8 million in economic activity. It has 239 jobs with a $7.9 million payroll.
New Kent's airport had $3.88 million in economic activity with 36 jobs and a payroll of $1.14 million.
More than 6,000 aircraft take off or land at the state's airports, and more than 69,000 people board commercial planes daily, the study said.
The study was based on data collected through a survey of airport managers, on-airport tenants, off-airport businesses, visitors and data collected from U.S. government agencies.
Business Editor Gregory J. Gilligan and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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