Airports
Airports' Economic Impact Grows as Federal Support Wanes
U.S. commercial airports combined are the nation’s second largest employer after Wal-Mart.
John F. Kennedy International, above, and Newark Liberty International airports in the New York City metropolitan area reported record international passenger traffic in 2011. (Photo: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)
John F. Kennedy International, above, and Newark Liberty International airports in the New York City metropolitan area reported record international passenger traffic in 2011. (Photo: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)

ACI-NA Economic Impact Study

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U.S. commercial airports combined rank as the nation’s second largest employer after Wal-Mart, directly supporting 1.3 million jobs in 2010, according to a study commissioned by the Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA). The 490 airports analyzed supported 10.5 million jobs overall, accounting for an annual payroll of $365 billion and $1.2 trillion in economic output, which includes airport activities, visitor spending and construction.