Aeronautics

WYDOT unveils 2020 Aviation Economic Impact Study

By Aimee Inama

WYDOT officials held a news conference on Feb. 10 to unveil the results of the 2020 Aviation Economic Impact Study.

Gov. Mark Gordon, WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner and WYDOT Aeronautics Chairman Bill DeVore provided comments concerning the study.

There was also a question and answer session featuring Diane Shober, director of the Wyoming Office of Tourism; Josh Dorrell, chief executive officer of the Wyoming Business Council; Mike Wandler, president of L&H Industrial; and Devon Brubaker, director of the Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport.

Jim Elwood, director of the Jackson Hole Airport, served as the emcee.

The study provided the annual impact of the state’s 34 public airports with paved runways. The study reflected pre-COVID conditions for all study airports.

Each airport, its aviation business tenants, visitors, WYDOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) served as the primary data sources for determining both statewide and airport specific economic impacts reported.

The total statewide impact shows that aviation has continued to benefit Wyoming’s economy. The last time the study was conducted was in 2013 and the 2020 study shows increases in employment, payroll, annual economic activity and state and local tax revenues.

For employment, the impact in 2013 was 12,263 jobs and in 2020 it increased to 21,974 jobs. When looking at the payroll category, the impact was $526.5 million in 2013 and increased to $942 million in 2020.

Annual economic activity was $1.4 billion in 2013 and increased to $2 billion in 2020. And, for state and local tax revenues, 2013’s study showed $55 million and the 2020 study showed and increase to $87.7 million.

The officials speaking at the news conference indicated that Wyoming’s airports definitely help the state and local economies while providing a valuable service to the citizens of Wyoming.

“Every time an aircraft lands and a family gets off to ski or to boat or to go to a rodeo or to participate in any of the other multitude of activities the state offers, it’s beneficial to our economy,” Reiner said. “Every time a businessman or businesswoman gets off an aircraft and goes to make a deal, it benefits our economy.”

Additionally, when critical medical supplies are sent to Wyoming by aircraft, the state’s citizens benefit.

“When an aircraft lands with critical supplies like the COVID vaccine, it makes our lives better here in our state,” Reiner said.

DeVore agreed and explained how the nine commercial airports and 25 general aviation airports serve different purposes but they share the same goal of improving the state’s economy.

For example, the commercial service airports, such as the ones in Jackson and Casper, help transport tourists, in-state travelers and business travelers to those communities. Those types of airports create tourism opportunities for visitors and provide business travelers the opportunity to conduct business.

The general aviation airports also serve a vital role, DeVore said. Those smaller airports provide a vital medical role by helping to transport patients, supplies and other personnel to needed locations.

Additionally, those airports also serve as air freight locations where delivery companies can route their goods to so the people in those local communities can get needed items.

To learn more about the 2020 Aviation Economic Impact Study, visit http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/aeronautics/2020-aviation-economic-impact-study.html. n