Economic Impact
Airports are more than just airplanes and runways. They are vital economic drivers.
In 2012, the Columbus Regional Airport Authority commissioned an independent study to measure the economic benefits associated with Port Columbus, Rickenbacker and Bolton Field Airports, as well as select businesses located at Rickenbacker Inland Port with direct ties to the Airport Authority.
The economic impact study followed a proven, FAA-supported methodology that considered direct on-airport activities, capital improvement projects, visitor related expenditures and the ripple effects generated as individuals or firms associated with airport businesses bought goods and services in the community.
The study found that the community’s aviation system assets account for more than 54,000 jobs, $1.8 billion in annual payroll and $6.6 billion in total annual economic output.
Below is a chart that summarizes the economic impact of each airport and their combined effect on the Central Ohio Region.
| Port Columbus International Airport | |||
| Jobs | Annual Payroll | Annual Economic Output | |
| Airport Tenants | |||
| Direct Impacts | 5,566 | $283.5 Million | $1.3 Billion |
| Multiplier Impacts | 6,222 | $198.3 Million | $1.0 Billion |
| Total | 11,788 | $481.8 Million | $2.3 Billion |
| Commercial Service Visitor Industry | |||
| Direct Impacts | 13,117 | $293.7 Million | $788.5 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 8,464 | $283.2 Million | $643.2 Million |
| Total | 21,581 | $576.9 Million | $1.4 Billion |
| General Aviation Visitor Industry | |||
| Direct Impacts | 60 | $1.4 Million | $3.5 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 35 | $1.2 Million | $2.8 Million |
| Total | 95 | $2.6 Million | $6.3 Million |
| Total | 33,464 | $1.1 Billion | $3.7 Billion |
| Rickenbacker International Airport | |||
| Jobs | Annual Payroll | Annual Economic Output | |
| Airport Tenants | |||
| Direct Impacts | 2,518 | $165.1 Million | $473.0 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 2,280 | $101.9 Million | $430.3 Million |
| Total | 4,798 | $267.1 Million | $903.4 Million |
| Commercial Service Visitor Industry | |||
| Direct Impacts | 1 | $23,000 | $94,000 |
| Multiplier Impacts | 1 | $22,000 | $77,000 |
| Total | 2 | $45,000 | $171,000 |
| General Aviation Visitor Industry | |||
| Direct Impacts | 4 | $90,000 | $241,000 |
| Multiplier Impacts | 2 | $81,000 | $196,000 |
| Total | 6 | $171,000 | $437,000 |
| Total | 4,806 | $267.3 Million | $904.0 Million |
| Select Off-Airport Businesses within Rickenbacker Inland Port | |||
| Jobs | Annual Payroll | Annual Economic Output | |
| Intermodal Terminal | |||
| Direct Impacts | 150 | $6.8 Million | $25.8 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 259 | $6.1 Million | $23.8 Million |
| Total | 409 | $12.9 Million | $49.6 Million |
| Freight Forwarder/Distribution Center | |||
| Direct Impacts | 7,395 | $261.9 Million | $875.1 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 6,750 | $192.6 Million | $840.1 Million |
| Total | 14,145 | $454.6 Million | $1.7 Billion |
| Manufacturing/Production Business | |||
| Direct Impacts | 216 | $8.9 Million | $37.4 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 240 | $7.4 Million | $31.7 Million |
| Total | 456 | $16.3 Million | $69.0 Million |
| Business Support Services Provider | |||
| Direct Impacts | 14 | $648,000 | $721,000 |
| Multiplier Impacts | 9 | $386,000 | $787,000 |
| Total | 23 | $1.0 Million | $1.5 Million |
| Construction | |||
| Direct Impacts | 390 | $15.8 Million | $46.9 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 375 | $14.6 Million | $44.0 Million |
| Total | 765 | $30.4 Million | $90.9 Million |
| Total | 15,798 | $515.2 Million | $1.9 Billion |
| Bolton Field Airport | |||
| Jobs | Annual Payroll | Annual Economic Output | |
| Airport Tenants | |||
| Direct Impacts | 47 | $1.4 Million | $5.9 Million |
| Multiplier Impacts | 51 | $949,000 | $4.8 Million |
| Total | 98 | $2.3 Million | $10.8 Million |
| General Aviation Visitor Industry | |||
| Direct Impacts | 4 | $90,000 | $221,000 |
| Multiplier Impacts | 2 | $81,000 | $180,000 |
| Total | 6 | $171,000 | $401,000 |
| Total | 104 | $2.5 Million | $11.2 Million |
| Total | 54,172 | $1.8 Billion | $6.6 Billion |
For more information, view the Economic Impact Brochure or the full report.
