The next time you fly out of Flagstaff, think about the economic impact it has on our community. Your Flagstaff Airport is part of a national and state system of airports. The state system recognizes 83 public use airports that provide more than 57,000 jobs with a payroll of $3.8 billion annually. And the 2007 Airport Master Plan put the economic impact of the Flagstaff Airport at more than $100 million. Overall, in the state of Arizona, there are more than 185,000 people directly employed in the aviation industry, with a $58 billion impact.
The Flagstaff Airport is more than just a commercial service provider to 336 destinations. More than 140 people are directly employed at the airport by various businesses at any one time, ranging from air traffic controllers, nurses, rental car agents, cooks, mechanics and scientists. These individuals work for 14 local companies, the federal and state governments, as well as the City of Flagstaff. These jobs would not exist without the airport, without which there would be a void in our economy in Flagstaff as well as reduced efficiencies.
In addition, this year alone more than $5.5 million will be generated into our economy through construction projects at the Flagstaff Airport. Some 95 percent of that will be paid by federal and state grants funded through airport fees, which are collected through fuel sales, aircraft registration, aircraft sales and parts. This construction will have a trickle-down effect on our economy through the purchase of materials locally, many of which are transported to the airport by local trucking companies. Those companies that are not local will be staying in our hotels, eating in local restaurants and shopping while staying here.
The economic impact on our community may not always be as obvious as jobs and wages; rather, our quality of life is also dependent upon the airport. Medical transport for Northern Arizona is quicker via air. Time-sensitive cargo is transported by air to Flagstaff on a daily basis. Additionally, our rugged terrain makes fighting forest fires very difficult without aircraft utilizing our airport. Through the use of single engine aircraft located at the airport, local law enforcement is able to survey the community to report fires from the air almost as fast as when they start.
So the next time you see an airplane overhead, think of the good it is doing in our community and the various economic impacts that aviation brings to our community. Support your Flagstaff Airport by flying Flagstaff! FBN
Barney Helmick is the airport director for the City of Flagstaff.