Minnesota's Public Airports Generate $18 Billion Each Year: Study

MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota's public airport system generates $18.2 billion in annual economic activity statewide, according to a new study the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The report details the economic impact of the state's 133 public airports.

"This study shows that Minnesota general aviation and commercial aviation provide outsized value to the communities they serve," said Cassandra Isackson, MnDOT Office of Aeronautics director, in a news release.

"Every airport serves its community in a unique way, from supporting local commerce and jobs to supplying essential emergency and medical services. We encourage everyone to check out their community's individual airport report on the study's website."

Additional study findings include:

• The 126 public airports in Greater Minnesota support more than 13,000 jobs and more than $570 million in annual payroll.
• The seven Metropolitan Airport Commission airports, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International, support more than 80,000 jobs and more than $3.9 billion in annual payroll.
• Public airports create economic efficiencies that help many Greater Minnesota businesses compete nationally and globally, and create local jobs that support local economies.
• Public airports support medical services essential to rural hospitals, including medical airlift, quick access for doctors and fast organ delivery.
• Public airports provide infrastructure needed to deliver fast, efficient aerial firefighting and other emergency services throughout the state.
• Public airports are essential to many aerial spray applicators, commonly known as "crop dusters," that serve Minnesota's agriculture economy.

MnDOT commissioned the Minnesota Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study to measure the annual economic impact provided by 126 public airports, most of them located in Greater Minnesota.

The study also includes data the Metropolitan Airports Commission provided for seven public airports in the seven-county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, including Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.