Originally published in 2019
Texas is served by a robust, 289-airport system, a key element of the state’s transportation network that attracts business, facilitates the travel of residents and visitors, and supports countless services such as military, law enforcement, and agriculture. Connections made through the airport system lead to the continued growth of Texas’s metropolitan areas while providing invaluable access to the state’s more rural communities. The Texas Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division has commissioned the Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study to examine the value these connections bring to local communities across the state.
The results of the 2017 study clearly show that Texas’ 25 commercial service airports and 264 general aviation airports continue to be major catalysts for well-paying, quality jobs. When results from the 2017 are compared to the last statewide economic impact (2011), employment and output have shown a significant increase.
THE CONCLUSION – AIRPORT BENEFITS CONTINUE TO SOAR
Results from the Texas Aviation Economic Impact Study indicate the tremendous strength of Texas’s overall system.
The 264 general aviation airports contribute more than 48,000 jobs with a payroll of nearly $2.6 billion. As presented above, these numbers represent a significant increase since the system was last evaluated in 2011. The total output attributable to general aviation airports surpasses $9.3 billion. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Texas airports and the results of the study, identifying the socioeconomic make-up of the study area, the details of the study approach and impacts by category, and the importance of business aviation. The following findings demonstrate the stature and importance of the Texas aviation system.
- Nearly 17,150 direct jobs (those jobs associated with where the initial point of economic activity occurs) are found on general aviation airports, with an associated payroll of $1.4 billion and output of $4.5 billion.
- General aviation visitors support 5,621 direct jobs, nearly $134.8 million in annual payroll, and $325.8 million inannual output.
- Commercial service airports support approximately 112,500 direct on-airport jobs that generate $7.3 billion in payroll and $23.9 billion in output.
- Commercial service airport visitors are responsible for 345,508 direct jobs, $8.3 billion in annual payroll, and nearly $19.0 billion in annual expenditures.
- On average, Texas system airports and their businesses invest $1.5 billion annually in capital projects. These projects result in more than 9,600 direct jobs with pay and benefits of$347.1 million.
The 2018 Texas Aviation Impact Study is available online at https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/aviation/eco-impact-aviation.html.
