Aviation Appreciation Month: Aviation Important to Local Economies

From the Port of Orcas

Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared June 2012 as General Aviation (GA) Appreciation Month in the state.

Her proclamation was the second such recognition of general aviation by state officials since the start of the No Plane No Gain advocacy campaign, which is the joint effort launched by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in early 2009.

“Gov. Gregoire is the CEO of a state that covers 71,300 square miles, so she understands the necessity of business aviation for keeping smaller communities connected,” said Ed Bolen, NBAA president and CEO. “We appreciate her support.”

The governor’s proclamation notes that the 135 public-use airports in Washington are home to more than 20,000 pilots, more than 7,500 aircraft and generate nearly 250,000 jobs worth about $15.3 billion annually.

Public-use airports support $50.9 billion in total economic activity within the state, noted Gregoire. “GA and community airports play critical roles in the lives of our citizens, as well as the operation of businesses, industry, ranches and farms,” she said.

Figures over the last decade show that the number of jobs generated by Washington state’s airports grew by 45%, generated 283% more in wages and contributed to a 57% increase in total economic activity for the state.
In addition to Washington, 40 other states have now officially recognized the value of business flying for their state, including Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.