When it comes to jobs, wages, production and services, the Manassas Regional Airport is number one.
The Virginia Department of Aviation has released an Economic Impact Study conducted on 57 General Aviation and nine commercial airports.
In 2016, the study reports, the Manassas Regional Airport saw more economic activity than any other General Aviation airport in the Commonwealth.
“We’re really excited about the news that came out from the state study,” Councilman Ian Lovejoy told What’s Up Prince William.
Virginia General Aviation airports had almost $1.1 billion in economic activity combined, according to a release. They also offered about $361.6 billion in wages and created more than 6,100 jobs.
More than 4,000 takeoffs and landings occur at Virginia airports.
“This study is a testament to the efforts made the by the Airport Commission and the Airport Director to stimulate increased growth of the businesses on and around the airport,” Airport Commission Chair Dan Radtke said in a release.
The Manassas Regional Airport saw about $375.5 million in production and services, and provided nearly $117.5 million in wages for more than 1,300 jobs.
It offers two runways, two full-service fixed base operators, and an FAA control tower, according to a release. About 90,000 flights takeoff from and land at the airport each year.
“We have always known what an asset the Manassas Regional Airport is to the Greater Manassas Region,” City Manager Patrick Pate stated in a release. “This study confirms that having an airport provides jobs and a positive financial impact for our citizens.”
Lovejoy, the City Council liaison for the Airport Commission, isn’t surprised by the study’s results. In fact, it verifies what officials learned from a study conducted within the past two years.
“We commissioned our own study that showed similar results around a quarter of a billion dollars in economic activity,” he said.
The airport’s close proximity to Washington, D.C., has also made it popular among travelers, Lovejoy added.
