Aviation in North Carolina contributes about $26 billion to the state's economy, or 6% of the state's gross domestic product, according to an economic impact study commissioned by the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Division of Aviation.
The Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University studied the state's nine commercial service airports and 63 general aviation airports. The facilities support about 108,850 jobs and bring in $771 million in direct government revenue, the study found.
"Aviation and aerospace continue to be an integral part of North Carolina's economic engine," said Richard Wells, director of NCDOT's aviation division. "As our state continues its investment in aviation, aerospace companies continue to invest in North Carolina with new manufacturing plants and technology."
The study found that North Carolina airports support more than $4 billion in personal income for aviation-related jobs, state and local governments received more than $770 million in sales, property, corporate, and personal taxes due to airport activity, and local property taxes related to airport activities generated about $277 million.
