June 13, 2017
The governors of seven states – Colorado, Delaware, Idaho, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington and Wyoming – issued proclamations this month about the value general aviation, including business aviation, brings to their states. To date, leaders in all 50 states have recognized the value of the industry.
Colorado
“General aviation and community airports play an important role in the lives of Coloradans, as well as in the operations of our farms and businesses,” Gov. John W. Hickenlooper wrote in his proclamation.
Colorado is home to 74 airports, which serve 17,646 pilots and 7,194 general aviation aircraft, and the state’s general aviation and commercial service airports contribute $2.4 billion to Colorado’s economy each year.
View the Colorado proclamation. (PDF)
Delaware
The state is home to nine public-use, general aviation airports, as well as aviation-related education programs at Delaware State University and Delaware Technical College, noted Gov. John Carney and Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long.
“Many communities in Delaware depend heavily on general aviation and community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourists and visits to our state,” the proclamation reads.
View the Delaware proclamation. (PDF)
Idaho
According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers study, general aviation in Idaho contributes more than $1.1 billion to the state’s total economic output, and general aviation supports 7,900 jobs in Idaho, resulting in $342 million in labor income, according to Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter.
Idaho is home to 117 public-use airports, serving 4,834 pilots and nearly 3,000 general aviation aircraft.
View the Idaho proclamation. (PDF)
Nebraska
“The state of Nebraska has a significant interest in the continued vitality of general aviation, aerospace, aircraft manufacturing, educational institutions, aviation organizations, community airports and airport operators,” wrote Gov. Pete Ricketts.
General aviation in Nebraska has an economic output of $1.2 billion annually and supports 7,000 jobs.
View the Nebraska proclamation. (PDF)
South Dakota
Aviation supports nearly $791 million in state business sales, Gov. Dennis Daugaard noted in his proclamation.
“General aviation contributes to the state’s economy, medical care, transports goods to Native American reservations, supports forest firefighting and boosts economic development for small communities,” the governor wrote.
View the South Dakota proclamation. (PDF)
Washington
The state is home to 44 charter flight companies, 105 repair stations and 34 schools, provides 1,795 jobs, and there are 55 fixed-base operators in the state, according to Gov. Jay Inslee.
“Washington is home to public-use airports serving an average of 17,953 pilots and 9,973 general aviation aircraft annually,” he wrote. “Public-use airports support 248,500 jobs, $15.3 billion in wages and $50.9 billion in total economic activity.”
View the Washington proclamation. (PDF)
Wyoming
“The continued vitality of general aviation in Wyoming is important to Wyoming and the people who live here,” Gov. Matthew Mead wrote in his proclamation.
General aviation airports in the state contribute more than $73 million in economic impact, support more than 400 jobs and have a total payroll of $14.4 million.