The latest update to the Massachusetts Aeronautics Division’s Massachusetts Statewide Economic Impact Study shows that the annual economic impact from aviation in the state is $16.6 billion. Of that, more than $516 million comes directly from general aviation airports.
“When all of the impacts of Massachusetts’ 39 public-use airports and associated military air facilities are added together, more than 162,000 jobs can be traced to the aviation industry. These employees receive $6.1 billion in total annual payroll and generate $16.6 billion in total economic activity,” according to the study. “Since the 2011 Massachusetts Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study, these impacts have increased by approximately 38,000 jobs, $1.2 billion in payroll, and $4.7 billion in output.”
The state’s legislators were the first in the nation to form a state legislative GA caucus, according to Dean Saucier, the Northeast regional representative for the National Business Aviation Association.
The Massachusetts GA caucus was a prime mover in the 2011 defeat – for the second time – of a repeal of the state’s aircraft sales-tax exemption, he noted.