October 22, 2023
Alaska, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey and New York officially recognized the business aviation for the important role it plays serving hundreds of communities that have little or no scheduled commercial airline service. From No Plane, No Gain, here’s the rundown:
“The economic contribution of the aviation industry in Alaska generates over 47,000 jobs, $3.5 billion to the state economy annually, and 8% of Alaska’s gross state product,” Gov. Bill Walker wrote in his proclamation.
“Aviation is the primary statewide means of transportation for 82% of Alaska’s communities not connected to the contiguous road system,” he added. “Aviation provides rural residents a vital like for travel, tourism, emergency and medical services, mail delivery and shipment of goods.”
Alaska has more private planes per capita than any other state, and Alaskans fly more than eight times as often as a resident of other states.
Gov. Paul LePage said, “Our communities depend on general aviation to support Maine’s response to emergencies, natural disasters and rescue missions; as well as on our community airports for the continued flow of commerce, tourists and visitors to our great state.”
General aviation in Maine supports more than 1,500 jobs and a payroll of $39.4 million annually. Additionally, the state is home to 15 repair stations, three FAA-approved pilot schools, 472 flight students and 380 flight instructors.
General aviation in Nebraska has a total economic output of $1.2 billion annually and supports 7,000 jobs according to a proclamation from Gov. Pete Ricketts. “General aviation and community airports play a vital role in the lives of our citizens, as well as in the operations of our businesses and farms,” he wrote.
Nebraska is home to 70 fixed-base operators, 13 repair stations and three FAA-approved pilot schools.
There were also proclamations from the mayors of Scottsbluff, Beatrice, and Omaha, which happens to be the base for both Warren Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway owns fractional jet card and share provider NetJets, and Jet Linx Aviation, which manages over 100 private jets and is expanding its jet card business.
“General aviation provides a substantial economic benefit to New Jersey from the operation of the public use airport system and from the tourism and commerce it supports,” Gov. Phillip Murphy wrote in his proclamation.
New Jersey’s general aviation industry provides employment to approximately 18,000 New Jersey residents and serves more than 8,000 pilots. Its also home to Teterboro and Morristown airports, two of the busiest private aviation airports in the U.S.
General aviation in New York contributes significantly to the economy of the state, creates hundreds of thousands of jobs for New Yorkers and generates billions of dollars in payroll tax revenue, so says Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
“Business aviation is a critical tool for companies in New York State to improve efficiency, save money and open up opportunities for rural areas not served by commercial aviation, thereby bringing new business, investment and jobs to all areas of the state,” he wrote in his proclamation.
New York leads the nation in promoting research and innovation in the implementation and testing of new aviation technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems to prepare their workforce of the future of aviation, the governor added.
