Airport Capability, Aviation Activity and Economic Activity at General Aviation Airports

Abstract

Previous research has established support for the overall premise that there are relationships between investments in airport infrastructure and economic activity. The nature of the investment and resulting increased capabilities seem to act in specific ways that are as yet materially unexplained. In addition, the role of how increased capabilities support (or make possible) increased activity at the airport, and how increased activity in general leads to economic outcomes are also ripe for additional clarification. The purpose of this investigation is to shed light on the relationships between airport capabilities, aviation activity at the airport, and the economic activity generated for the community served by the airport. In this study we have demonstrated that strong, significant positive relationships exist between Airport Capabilities (Accessibility and Infrastructure), Airport Size (Class), Airport Activity, and Economic Activity. Practical, managerial inferences can also be drawn. First, it is not unreasonable to expect that investment (public or private) in improved airport capability does indeed stimulate increased economic activity directly, and indirectly by increasing the number and importance of activities taking place at the airport. It is anticipated that the results of this and related future research efforts can better inform public policy decisions in general aviation.