Louisville’s airports generate 69,000 jobs, says report

Produced $348.8 million in state and local taxes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2015) — The results of the most recent survey of the economic impact of Louisville International Airport (SDF) and Bowman Field (LOU) were presented to the Louisville Regional Airport Authority (LRAA) Board at September’s monthly meeting. The results show that economic activity continues to expand at the airports and together, Louisville International and Bowman Field remain the largest private employment center in the metro area.

The survey revealed that the ongoing impacts of the airports include:

• Supporting 69,900 total jobs, meaning that almost one in every 10 jobs in the Metropolitan Statistical Area is attributable to airport-related activities
• Generating more than $2.6 billion in total payroll
• Generating more than $8.1 billion in total economic activity
• Producing $348.8 million in total state and local tax revenues

“These figures show our airports are continuing to grow and thrive, providing an economic lift to the community that results in more jobs, payroll, and tax revenues,” said Jim Welch, chairman of the LRAA Board of Directors.

The survey, conducted at three-year intervals since 1986, measures three types of economic impacts: direct, indirect and induced. Combined, these measurements represent activities including jobs, payroll, business expenditures and taxes generated by business.

Welch also noted that during the 2014 calendar year, Louisville International Airport and its business partners invested more than $55.6 million in new capital projects.

“Capital investments, like all other direct business activities, create additional economic activity in the Louisville economy,” he said.

In 2014, Louisville International retained its ranking as the seventh busiest cargo airport in the world and third busiest in North America, according to the Airports Council International (ACI) 2014 report.

Additionally, Louisville International is the only airport in Kentucky that offers passenger service by the four largest airlines in the country – American, Delta, Southwest, and United. These airline partners provide non-stop service to 20 domestic destinations – including seven of the top 10 international getaways.

“These non-stop gateways mean that international travel to more than 140 cities in 65 countries on six continents in just one stop away,” said Skip Miller, LRAA executive director.