General aviation critical to Indiana
November 16, 2012, 05:08 pm
In recent months, states have highlighted general aviation's critical role to their economy by dedicating a specific month to celebrate the industry. Indiana is the latest to do so with a recent study.
Nationwide general aviation supports 1.2 million jobs and generates $150 billion each year to the economy. Alabama declared general aviation month in October, and officials said that general aviation contributes $800 million in economic activity to the state. West Virginia also celebrated the general aviation community during the same month, showing it generates $616 million each year and supports critical services like medical treatment and commerce.
Alaska named September as general aviation month for the state's 734 registered airports, 10,883 aircraft and 8,514 pilots. The department of transportation demonstrated the state's reliance on general aviation by announcing during the month that 82 percent of Alaskan communities do not have roads. General aviation supports 47,000 jobs in Alaska and contributes nearly $3.5 billion, while residents depend on it for medical evaluation, pipeline patrol, firefighting, wildlife surveys, and search and rescue. Aviation in Alaska is crucial in the state’s oil, mining, construction, fishing and tourism industries.
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According to the 2012 Indiana Airports Economic Impact Study released recently by the Aviation Association of Indiana, the state's 69 public-use airports contribute more than $14 billion in economic activity and support more than 69,000 jobs throughout the state.
“These study results paint a clear picture of the value of Indiana’s airports not only to residents who rely on air travel for business and pleasure, but to the thousands of businesses that rely on airport services to move people and products,” said Bart Giesler, executive director of the Aviation Association of Indiana. “This backs our continued assertion that aviation investment by the state creates jobs in the private sector. Airports connect Hoosier businesses to their customers and this connection means jobs.”
The Indiana airports also provide transportation for 6.5 million residents and support emergency medical transportation, air cargo and logistics operations, law enforcement/search-and-rescue efforts, flight training and education, aerial agricultural operations, land surveying and entertainment.
“Airports play an important role in our statewide logistics network and are vital to our efforts in strengthening Indiana’s position as the ‘Crossroads of America’ and a leader in facilitating the flow of goods from factory floor to store shelf,” said David Holt, vice president of operations and business development of Conexus Indiana. “This report quantifies the impact airports have on our state and validates our continued focus on airports as key economic drivers.”
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