Last week the metro Denver region and residents across Colorado received great economic news about Denver International Airport and our state’s other airports.
Yes, you read that correctly: great economic news. Despite record high fuel prices and continued airline financial challenges, DIA and Colorado’s airports are generating enormous economic benefits.
In the recently released 2008 Colorado Airports Economic Impact Study, the state’s Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division (part of the Colorado Department of Transportation, or CDOT) quantified the annual economic activity of Colorado’s airports to be a stunning $32.2 billion. DIA generates 70 percent of that total, or $22.3 billion in direct jobs, visitor spending and the positive spinoff effects created by airport-dependent businesses. The metro Denver region also benefits from corporate and general aviation activities at Centennial, Front Range and Rocky Mountain regional airports, contributing a combined $1.4 billion.
This story is repeated across Colorado from the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope: Colorado’s airports play a major role in state and local economic vitality.
Think about it this way: Colorado’s 74 public-use airports are major contributors to our economy, ensuring access and the ability to move people and products. Our airports also create demand for materials, supplies and services that keep businesses thriving and Coloradans employed.
In order to fully understand DIA’s economic activity, CDOT specifically surveyed DIA airlines, tenants and passengers with a particular focus on international visitors. The survey found that international visitors tend to stay in Colorado 20 percent longer than domestic travelers, visit multiple locations across the state and exhibit higher spending patterns. The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) has long supported and encouraged DIA’s growth, especially the creation of new international flights.
The Metro Denver EDC not only welcomes the positive economic growth contributed by our state’s airports but strongly supports:
• Continued investment in airports by the state of Colorado, local communities, airport tenants and suppliers.
• Local community efforts to protect existing airports through compatible land use planning and zoning.
• Investments in airspace navigational systems that improve safety and efficiency.
This last point merits greater mention. Recognizing that our state’s airports are part of the national aviation system, CDOT has focused on how system delays and problems affect Colorado’s airports. The ultimate solution is for the Federal Aviation Administration to upgrade our country’s air traffic control system. “NextGen,” as it is termed by FAA, will usher in a new satellite-based aircraft navigational system that will reduce delays and increase airspace capacity. We support NextGen and know its importance to DIA’s ability to achieve the benefits of its full buildout potential of 12 runways.
But, NextGen will take 20 years to fund and fully implement. In the meantime, we applaud CDOT’s initiative to improve radar coverage at our state’s airports. With the funding cooperation of local communities, CDOT has installed a sensor system — the first of its kind in the United States — to improve aircraft takeoff and landing efficiency at some of Colorado’s ski country airports. Phase 1 represents an investment of $4.7 million. Phase 2 will cost nearly double to expand the system to other airports, including Telluride and Montrose. We urge the FAA to support Phase 2 with federal funding assistance.
Investment in Colorado’s airports has generated a positive return to our economy and we should keep up the momentum. Even if one seldom or rarely flies, our airports benefit every citizen in Colorado. The Metro Denver EDC actively supports the continued growth and development of DIA and our regional airports. And we encourage the state’s citizens to do the same.
Tom Clark is executive vice president of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (MDEDC). John Beeble is chairman of the DIA Leadership Committee for the MDEDC.
