A new study commissioned by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation finds that the airport pumped almost $165 million into the region -- in jobs, spending and tourism -- in 2010.
That's big business for the Erie region, said John Oliver, president of VisitErie, Erie County's tourism promotion agency.
"The best news is that the business that comes in through the airport is year-round. Corporate flyers come in throughout the year and utilize the same services that tourists utilize mainly in the summer. That helps Erie's tourism industry maintain employment year-round," Oliver said.
Visitors flying in and out of the airport contributed $45.8 million to the local economy, for hotels, food, entertainment and shopping, in 2010, according to the "Economic Impact of Aviation in Pennsylvania" study completed in October.
At the same time, the airport provided or supported 2,050 jobs -- at the airport and for maintenance, construction and other services -- generating $61.1 million in salaries.
The number of airport-supported jobs grew in 2001 to include contractors extending the airport's main runway and rerouting Powell Avenue to accommodate it. The $83 million construction project will be completed in December 2012.
The airport's impact on the local economy is expected to soar when the longer runway opens. The new 7,500-foot runway will allow planes to take off and land fully loaded with passengers, cargo and enough fuel to fly longer distances nonstop. And that will make Erie more profitable and therefore more attractive to commercial and charter airlines, airport Executive Director Chris Rodgers said.
"The airport's annual economic impact is significant, but it was calculated during a down economy with high gas prices and unemployment and before the benefits of the runway extension," Rodgers said.
The $165 million "is a big number, but we can and will contribute more in the future," he said.
Oliver also foresees the airport's impact on the local economy taking off in years ahead.
"I can't imagine those numbers not going up once the runway extension is completed and Erie becomes more and more known for its meeting facilities -- at the Bayfront Convention Center, the Ambassador and at some of the other hotels. We're going to see more national meetings and more people coming in," Oliver said.
The "Economic Impact of Aviation in Pennsylvania" study, done by Cincinnati-based Wilbur Smith Associates, additionally finds:
- Erie International Airport assets, including property, buildings, equipment and vehicles, total between $189.5 million and $221 million.
- Companies that regularly use the airport for employee and customer travel and cargo include Snap Tite, Lord Corp., FedEx, General Electric, Erie Insurance and Troyer Farms.
- Businesses surveyed for the study rate proximity to a commercial airport among their top priorities when considering relocation or expansion.
- Port Meadville Airport supports 69 jobs generating $3.6 million in annual payroll and annually pumps $12.3 million into the local economy.
- Venango Regional Airport, in Franklin, employs or supports 149 people, generating almost $5 million in payroll and $17.1 million in economic activity annually.
- Statewide, Pennsylvania's 131 airports support 304,462 jobs, generate $9.2 billion in annual payroll and add $23.6 billion to the state's economy.
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