A new Economic Impact Study for San Diego International Airport, California, has indicated a dramatic increase in regional employment and economic benefits resulting from the airport. The study quantifies the airport’s total economic contributions to the region at nearly US$12bn annually.
“This study highlights the airport’s role as far more than a vital transportation resource for the San Diego region,” said Kimberly Becker, president and CEO, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “It is a regional asset that is also a major economic driver and job creator, constantly looking at ways to improve the passenger experience and help the region become increasingly global.”
The study measures the direct and indirect economic impacts generated by San Diego Airport. To do so, the study compared 2017 data from the US Department of Transportation, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and on-airport tenants, with the last study conducted in 2013.
Since then, the airport has undertaken a number of construction projects, including the green-build Terminal 2 expansion; rental car center; Terminal 2 parking plaza; and international arrivals facility.
Total employment supported by the airport has increased by 31% over the past five years. In 2017 nearly 118,000 residents in the region were employed directly or indirectly due to the activities at San Diego Airport, generating nearly US$3.9bn in total annual payroll. Of total employment in San Diego County, the airport supports 5.7% of people employed in the region.
The growth in economic impact is largely due to the airport’s increase in passenger traffic. In 2012, the airport accommodated nearly 17.3 million passengers, which grew to nearly 22 million in 2017.
