Coastal Carolina Regional Airport, one of North Carolina\u2019s\nten publicly-owned commercial service airports, has reported significant\neconomic impact for the Eastern North Carolina economy, according to a recent\nstudy released by the N.C. Department of Transportation\u2019s Division of Aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2019 EWN\u2019s impact accounted for 2,710 jobs and\n$99,710,000 in personal income, $16,565,000 in state and local taxes and\n$456,750,000 in economic output for the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EWN also provides air freight services in support of the\nstate’s economy. Air freight helps meet the global demand for the rapid\nmovement of goods like overnight packages and time-sensitive medical items. EWN\nranked 4th in the state, with more than 1,800 tons of air cargo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAny thriving economy must be diverse,\u201d said Andrew Shorter,\nDirector of the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport Authority. \u201cAnd with an\nincreasingly global economy, aviation\u2019s role in post-pandemic recovery is more\nimportant than ever.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ability to have a local impact through a regional\nairport is critical to the needs of our area, Shorter said. “We are simply\nin the business of connecting people and commerce from our region to the rest\nof the world and the numbers indicate that we do that very well!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The January 2021 report also cites military aviation\u2019s\ncontributions to the state\u2019s public airports. Each year, approximately 200,000\nmilitary operations occur at the state\u2019s 72 public airports, providing\nincreased local training and support opportunities for military pilots and crew\nwhile providing revenue and jobs for the local community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NCDOT creates the report every two years to help guide\nfuture aviation infrastructure and provide a tool for recruiting aviation and\naerospace industry companies and investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n