A study conducted on behalf of the Tennessee Department of Transportation found no plane, no gain. Or, more specifically, attracting private jets is good for the economy.
Overall, private aviation contributes over $1 billion to the state’s economy. Visitors arriving by private jet are responsible for $436 million.
Eastern Tennessee welcomed over 300,000 private aviation visitors. The region includes Gatlinburg, the gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains and Dollywood, the most ticketed attraction in Tennessee, and the county’s number one employer. It also includes the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
East Central Tennessee, which almost 150 manufacturing firms, including Whirlpool, Mars, and Procter & Gamble, saw 130,000 arrivals by private jet.
West Central Tennessee, which includes Nashville, had 316,000 private aviation visitors. Western Tennessee, including Memphis, saw 145,000 visitors arriving by private aviation.
General aviation tenants in Tennessee generated an additional $635 million in economic value for the state.
