"ACI-NA Releases U.S. Airports Economic Impact Report"

Tuesday, October 8, 2002

ACI-NA Releases U.S. Airports Economic Impact Report 
Congestion and Capacity Concerns Continue to Resonate
Press Release


WASHINGTON, /PRNewswire/ -- Airports Council International - North
America (ACI-NA) President David Z. Plavin today released a report on
the "Economic Impact of U.S. Airports." The report, based on information
collected from ACI-NA member airports in 2001, includes economic
statistics and specific growth areas within the United States' aviation
system, and highlights our pressing need to address the looming
congestion levels.
 
According to the report, more than 1.9 million passengers each day rely
on U.S. airports for business and leisure travel, and more than 38,000
tons of cargo pass through U.S. airports each day. The nation's airports
generate $507 billion each year in total economic activity nationwide,
producing approximately 1.9 million jobs on airports in the U.S. and 4.8
million jobs in local communities.

Detailing the growth in airport activity, the report notes that total
scheduled U.S. commercial air carrier activity has steadily increased
over the years at rates higher than the U.S. economy. In addition, U.S.
domestic passenger traffic increased at a faster rate than international
traffic from 1995 to 2001; however, from 2003 international passenger
traffic is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5.6% compared to a 3.8%
growth rate for the domestic traffic. The U.S. cargo market has grown
significantly in the past ten years and is expected to grow at 5.3% per
year over the next 12 years.

"These statistics are overwhelming, but not surprising, and they are a
testament to the need for the aviation industry to adopt measures now to
efficiently increase capacity and to better use the capacity we
currently have in the system," said Plavin. "The picture coming into
view now is that as our passengers deal with increased levels of
security and terminal delays, on the horizon they should also expect
more airside congestion. Therefore, it's imperative that airports be
provided with appropriate Airport Improvement Program (AIP) levels to
fund airport investments, and be granted flexibility to choose which
funding mechanisms work best for their local needs. America's economic
future depends on it, our traffic levels require it, and our passengers
deserve it," he added.

The report also notes that this year has been one of radical change in
the air transportation system. As airports continue to recover from the
aftermath of September 11 and grapple with the impacts of the airline
industry restructuring, airports are showing growth in all areas of
activity including passenger and cargo. Airports are consequently
providing capital development programs to accommodate this growth. While
traffic levels have dipped this year largely due to the September 11
tragic events, U.S. airports have experienced a robust 3.7% growth in
economic activity since the last report was published in 1998, and
enplaned passengers at our 419 primary airports rose from 631 million to
695 million per year, reflecting a 10% growth since 1998. Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) projections are that the volume of
passenger traffic will return to 2000 levels by 2003 or 2004.

Case studies of 12 airports detailing data on passengers, cargo,
operations and capital development programs in the report include
Baltimore/Washington International, Blue Grass (Lexington), Hartsfield
Atlanta International, Kansas City International, Minneapolis-St. Paul
International, Nashville International, Oakland International,
Philadelphia International, Rickenbacker International, Savannah
International, Seattle-Tacoma International, and Southwest Florida
International airports.

ACI-NA represents local, regional and state governing bodies that own
and operate commercial airports in the United States and Canada. ACI-NA
member airports enplane more than 98 percent of the domestic and
virtually all the international airline passenger and cargo traffic in
North America. Over 370 aviation-related businesses are also members of
the association, which is the largest of the six worldwide regions of
Airports Council International. 

Source: Airports Council International - North America


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