February 19, 2025
A new study by PWC shows private aviation users contributed $6.6 billion to U.S. travel and hospitality through hotel stays and restaurants.
According to a recently released report from PWC, private aviation travel supports 1.3 million U.S. jobs, $339.2 billion in output, and $178.1 billion in GDP contributions.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), National Air Transportation Association (NATA), Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) sponsored the study.
The report estimates 120 million passengers traveled on general aviation flights in 2023, the year the data was compiled.
Per the PWC analysis, overnight passengers spent $2.2 billion on meals and $4.4 billion on lodging.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, “This authoritative report will be valuable in our industry’s work to educate policymakers and opinion leaders about the sector’s size and central role in the nation’s economy and transportation system.”
GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce added, “We are proud to report that despite challenges that have plagued the entire aerospace industry since the beginning of the pandemic, the segment of the U.S. economy affected by general aviation grew over 150,000 jobs and an additional $92 billion in annual economic impact since last reported in 2020.”
Earlier today, GAMA reported 2024 numbers for new business jet deliveries as the highest since 2010.
Private aviation supports 146,600 jobs in California, at the top of the list.
Florida (121,100 jobs), Texas (106,000), Georgia (56,800), and Arizona (48,800) rounded out the five states that gained the most jobs from the industry.
California, which gained $39.8 billion in total output and $22.8 billion in GDP, is also at the top of the list.
The PWC report shows benefits are not limited to large states.
Kansas ranked first in per capita output contribution ($3,692), followed by North Dakota ($3,137), Alaska ($2,745), Connecticut ($2,025), and Iowa ($1,832).
The report also outlines the breadth of the industry beyond private jets:
‘General aviation includes personal-use aircraft, business aircraft, helicopters, aircraft operated by flight schools, and on-demand passenger or cargo transportation under Federal Aviation Regulation Part 135.6. In 2023, more than 214,000 active general aviation aircraft logged 28.6 million flight hours in the United States. The general aviation fleet ranges from small, amateur-built aircraft to large business jets and includes fixed-wing piston and turboprop airplanes, jet-powered airplanes, helicopters, gliders, and hot-air balloons. General aviation aircraft may be wholly owned, jointly owned, rented, chartered, or leased. General aviation covers everything from the use of personal aircraft by recreational pilots to business-owned aircraft used to transport people and/or cargo for business purposes. General aviation operations include air tours and sight-seeing flights as well as specialized activities such as air medical services, aerial applications in agriculture, forestry, and other industries, and flight training.’
The data is based on 2023.
According to the PWC research, in 2023, 16,537 jet-powered airplanes were in the U.S.
Single-engine piston airplanes were tops with 127,573.
There were 11,727 twin-engine piston aircraft and 10,951 turboprops.
Helicopters accounted for 10,051 tails.
However, the private jets accounted for 4.63 million hours, compared to 14.61 million for the single-engine piston airplanes.
Nationwide, 48,600 full- and part-time workers were manufacturing general aviation aircraft in 2023.
Another 74,700 workers were employed in manufacturing components for general aviation aircraft, for a combined direct employment contribution of 132,800 jobs.
These workers earned $14.5 billion in labor income in 2023, an average of $109,028 per job.
In addition, another 239,100 workers were employed in jobs directly related to the operation and maintenance of general aviation aircraft, including employment in flight training, nonscheduled air transportation, scenic and sightseeing, and support activities for air transportation (such as fixed base operators and other maintenance and repair facilities).
These workers earned an average labor income per job of $104,281 in 2023.
In 2023, general aviation’s direct output was $114.8 billion, and its direct contribution to GDP was $59.5 billion.
Operations and maintenance of general aviation aircraft accounted for over half of all contribution metrics.
That was 64 percent of direct employment and 57 percent of direct GDP.
Regarding the contributions to hotels and restaurants, PWC says its estimated $6.6 billion is conservative.
It doesn’t include shopping.
It was based on government per diems for meals and lodging.
PWC notes, “Some business travelers have expenditures in excess of the maximum per diems allowed for federal employees. Second, travelers may make expenditures in addition to meals and lodging. Third, this approach only estimates visitor spending for overnight passengers, although travelers who arrive and depart on the same day may also incur expenses for meals and other items.”
DOWNLOAD: Contribution-General-Aviation-US-Economy-in-2023-202502
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