The use of private aviation for businesses is a thriving industry but even with its steady growth and widespread popularity, there are still many aspects that the public doesn’t understand. One important aspect of the world of private and business aviation is its positive economic impact in cities and towns across America.

Private aviation directly affects the U.S. economy through aircraft manufacturing as well as airport-related jobs. In fact, 1.2 million Americans are employed by the private aviation industry, an industry which contributes $150 billion to U.S. economic output each year. The majority of business aircraft in the world are maintained, serviced and operated in the United States. The majority of business aircraft that are flown worldwide are manufactured here as well.

Planes manufactured outside the U.S. are often completed in America, where they are installed with engines, avionics, electronics, paint, interiors and other U.S.-made products. Many American companies contribute to the aircraft completion process with goods and services needed to make an aircraft. This includes products such as aluminum, glass, plastic, fabric and other materials, radio, TV, Internet and other communications equipment for navigation, coordination with air traffic control and other functions.

In addition to private aviation manufacturing, there are many other jobs created for U.S. workers. Hundreds of thousands of individuals in every state across the country are employed through the operation of private aircraft for business purposes. Occupations created through the industry of private aviation include schedulers, dispatchers, maintenance technicians, pilots, training professionals, insurers, flight attendants, airport employees and other specialists. Sales of new and previously-owned airplanes also contribute to the economies of American cities and towns.

Positive economic impact of the private aviation industry is especially felt in smaller communities across our nation where small airports are established. Not only does this create jobs for individuals through the aviation-related businesses located at or near the airport, this also helps to support businesses that are indirectly related. This might include restaurants, hotels, car rental companies, and shopping outlets, all of which are positively impacted by the flow of passengers, goods and services that the airport facilitates.

Airports that service the private aviation industry have other desirable effects on small communities in that the transportation services they provide allow area employers to maintain operations and keep up with the current business standards. This also helps with new business development, attracting organizations to a region with the transportation and competitive business advantages of private aviation for business. One of the main things that business developers and venture capitalists look for when making decisions on where to locate new businesses is ready access to air transportation.

Over the past several years, over half of U.S. states have formally expressed support of private aviation for business purposes and the value that this industry brings to their residents, by way of jobs and economic benefits. In 2011, the Commonwealth of Virginia credited business aviation with playing a major role in its being named a “top state for business” by Forbes and CNBC.

Private aviation for business is an important contributor in every state, but some states rely more heavily on the industry than others. Alaska is one example of this as many towns and communities are very difficult or impossible to access except by air. Airports and aviation generate an average of $35 billion toward Alaska’s economy, which ends up being about 8 percent. A report from the state’s Department of Transportation and Public Facilities quoted one resident as saying, “The airport is a fact of life for living out here in the villages. The airport is our road, highway, ocean, — our lifeline.”

The private aviation industry plays a vital role in the American economy and here at Jet Charters, we’re honored to be part of that. To perform a trip request for your next jet charters excursion or to locate one of our operators in your area, visit www.jetcharters.com.