Chattanooga Airport Brings $167 Million Impact

The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport generates more than $166.7 million in economic activity annually according to an analysis by the Community Research Council (CRC). CRC's report, commissioned by the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority, found that economic activity related to the airport also helped to create 1,440 jobs in the region.

Of the total economic impact, $104,097,543 was direct, $29,232,738 was indirect and $33,388,436 was induced. Of the total employment impact, 963 jobs were direct, 221 were indirect and 256 were induced.

There are currently 1,016 jobs in airport operations, producing an output of $94,257,631 and a total income of $34,780,790. Airport visitors - those flying on commercial aviation -- helped create 392 jobs, an output of $24,496,102 and an income of $8,265,212. General aviation jobs total 32 with an output of $3,913,871 and an income of $489,660.

CRC's findings were based on a Federal Aviation Administration model for calculating airport operations and general aviation impact and a model used by the University of Memphis to estimate the impact of visitor spending. CRC also analyzed productivity related savings resulting from access to the airport. When calculated against the average hourly wage, average round trip using alternate airports and federal mileage reimbursement rate, the average cost saved per trip is $126.10 in travel and $91 in time. With 254,959 enplanements in 2006, the total saved was $55,351,599.

"The Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport is an important generator of economic activity and jobs in the region," said David Eichenthal, President of the Community Research Council. "The recent growth in the number of flights and passengers has increased the airport's role in the economy."

Data for the analysis was based on a survey of 94 firms at or near the airport, Dun & Bradstreet firm data on employment/revenue and cargo data imputed from industry standards. CRC also conducted interviews with new employers in the region and a comparative analysis of enplanement data for other similar in size airports around the nation.

The Community Research Council (CRC) is a Chattanooga, Tennessee based not for profit organization that conducts data analysis and policy research to improve the quality of life in the Chattanooga region. This project was led by Dr. William Tharp, a Senior Policy Analyst at CRC and an Associate Professor of Public Administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.