A new study underscores the immense economic impact of general aviation in the United States, revealing that the industry supports 1.3 million jobs, contributes $178.1 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and generates $339.2 billion in total economic output.
Despite economic headwinds, general aviation has demonstrated strong post-pandemic growth, adding more than 150,000 jobs and $92 billion in annual economic impact since the last study in 2020, according to the new report by PwC US Tax and sponsored by eight general aviation advocacy associations.
“This growth takes place at a time when the importance of the societal benefits that general aviation brings to humankind around the globe cannot be overstated,” noted Pete Bunce, president of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). “From aerial firefighting, medical airlift, natural disaster response, law enforcement, agriculture protection, through drone vaccine delivery, general aviation is saving lives while our business aviation segment creates the corporate connectivity to allow companies the competitive advantage needed to create more jobs and promote economic growth.”
“General aviation is the technology incubator for civil aviation — our evolution is spurring more sustainable propulsion systems, safety-enhancing avionics capabilities, advanced material manufacturing, and improved maintenance, training, and support,” he continued.
Key Findings
- 1.3 million jobs supported across direct, indirect, induced, and enabled economic effects.
- $107.5 billion in labor income, with GA jobs offering above-average wages.
- $339.2 billion in total economic output.
- $178.1 billion GDP contribution, accounting for $529 per U.S. resident.
- Visitor spending of $6.7 billion, reinforcing GA’s role in tourism and business travel.
- More than 214,000 active GA aircraft, logging 28.6 million flight hours in 2023.
- U.S. GA manufacturing exported $113.7 billion in aircraft, engines, and components, maintaining a $58.5 billion trade surplus.
- Top contributing states: California (146,600 jobs), Florida (121,100), and Texas (106,000)
General aviation industry leaders praised the study for reaffirming GA’s economic importance while highlighting its growing role in technological advancements, job creation, and community support.
“This study powerfully demonstrates general aviation’s essential and growing role in creating jobs, supporting economic activity, connecting communities and helping companies of all sizes succeed, nationally and in every state,” said Ed Bolen, president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). “This authoritative report will be valuable in our industry’s work to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the sector’s size and central role in the nation’s economy and transportation system.”
“This report shows the growing impact of general aviation in every part of the U.S.,” added Darren Pleasance, president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “Since the last report in 2020, the number of people learning to fly has nearly doubled, proving once again that general aviation provides more value than ever to communities across the country.
Perhaps Jack J. Pelton, CEO and chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), sums it up best: “General aviation is not just about economic growth — it’s about community, accessibility, and the American spirit of flight.”
The study, sponsored by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and Vertical Aviation International (VAI), is available for download here.
A lot of the money to improve airports comes from the federal excise tax on airline tickets, so airport authorities aren’t begging the government for money, they are asking for it back because we paid it in the first place.
One of the smartest things any community can do is upgrade and improve their airport. I’ve seen airports that were grass strips twenty years ago with a few ramshackle hangars get paved with federal money (95% federal, 5% local matching funds), and suddenly the airport has a business park with tenants, lots of private sector employees (not necessarily in aviation-related businesses, but without the airport industrial park, they wouldn’t be there at all). Airports bring businesses, businesses bring jobs, jobs mean money in the community.
It isn’t that hard to measure the economic impact of an airport or aviation business. Historically, the return has been shown to be $4 to $5 PER YEAR for every dollar invested in the improvement, which improvement is a one-time cost. The investment (more correctly, reinvestment, it is our money anyway) results in an ongoing income stream for the community.
I’ve also seen it go the other way, too. Communities that close their airports are like communities that close their interstate highway exit – they wither on the vine, businesses go elsewhere, jobs disappear, the tax base craters and bingo, you have a depressed area with high crime and inadequate services because the city is broke.
I’ve been in aviation for 55 years and in community economic development for almost 20 years. I see the numbers and the results every day. One of the very best investments any community can make is to improve their airport, and one of the very best ways to finance it is with federal matching funds from the airline ticket excise tax – it is OUR money, we are spending it on ourselves.
Perhaps airmen and businesses can use the information to help keep local politicians from closing more airfields.
Who authored the study? Where can we get the details on the bogus models they have once again used to determine the very speculative “economic impact” figures? I’d bet they authors are paid consultants who are essentially told in advance the expected outcome by those who fund these stupid things every year. They are used when airport authorities go begging for money from government.,