According to a recently released report from the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation, Fayetteville Regional Airport plays a significant role in the local economy.
Results from the Jan. 21 report released Monday show that FAY supports 4,575 jobs, contributes $28 million to state and local taxes and provides $790 million in economic impact.
“Fayetteville Regional Airport is constantly working to bring an even better airport experience to the local community and traveling public,” said Toney Coleman, airport director.
Release bi-annualy, the report shows how the state’s public airport and related aviation and aerospace assets contribute to the economy — locally and statewide.
The report paints a very different picture than a January 2019 City Council report by Mayor Mitch Colvin, who then described the airport as “underperforming.”
Since then, the airport has undertaken a major remodeling project that will change nearly every square foot of the city-owned facility.
Now, more than two years after beginning the project, the end is in sight.
“FAY continues to be one of the fastest-recovering North Carolina commercial-service airports since March 2020,” according to a statement released to the Business Journal in June.
The most recent economic impact report from NCDOT was “created to help guide future investment in aviation infrastructure and to act as a tool for recruiting future aviation and aerospace industry,” today’s statement read.
On schedule to complete reconstruction in early 2022, Fayetteville Regional will see a new terminal front, new airline ticket counters, and baggage and TSA areas.
In January 2020, passengers saw the completion of Phase One of the project, which included terminal renovations, a new concourse, two new jet bridges, rotunda and restaurant area.
In June the airport’s marketing specialist, Allison Rogers, said officials understand the airport serves a specific role in the state’s overall air-transportation infrastructure and they want it to excel at that role.
David Kennard and Stott Nunn from the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal contributed to this story.
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