North Carolina Aviation Industry contributes $88B annually to state economy; economic output data reported for local airports

By Staff Report, posted Jan 3, 2025 on BizFayetteville.com

North Carolina’s aviation industry contributes $88 billion each year to the state’s economy and supports more than 427,000 jobs statewide, according to the 2025 North Carolina: The State of Aviation report released today, Jan. 3.

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation released the report to highlight the industry’s substantial economic impact and the vital role local airports play.

"North Carolina’s aviation industry is not only a cornerstone of our economy, but also a key driver of innovation,” said Nick Short, interim director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation in a press release. “This report highlights the critical role our airports play in fostering economic growth, supporting new technologies and positioning the state as a leader in the future of aviation."

The biennial report examines the extensive economic influence of the state’s aviation system, which includes 10 commercial service airports and 62 general aviation airports. These facilities play a vital role in supporting diverse sectors such as agriculture, military operations, emergency response and aerospace innovation.

The report contains data compiled and analyzed for NCDOT by N.C. State University's Institute for Transportation Research and Education. Impacts are calculated based on factors such as jobs supported by the airports and the businesses that rely on them, and the impact of airport capital projects and operations.

Local airports within the Greater Fayetteville Business Journal's coverage area were included in the report. Those airports include:

Clinton-Sampson County (CTZ) located in Clinton. This airport impacted 55 jobs, generated $4,590,000 in personal income, brought in $554,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $15,070,000.
Curtis L. Brown Jr. Field (EYF) located in Elizabethtown. This airport impacted 170 jobs, generated $16,520,000 in personal income, brought in $4,304,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $62,590,000.
Fayetteville Regional (FAY) located in Fayetteville. This airport impacted 5,285 jobs, generated $276,980,000 in personal income, brought in $48,870,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $829,230,000.
Harnett Regional Jetport (HRJ) located in Erwin. This airport impacted 700 jobs, generated $59,400,000 in personal income, brought in $8,420,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $203,440,000.
Laurinburg-Maxton (MEB) located in Maxton. This airport impacted 635 jobs, generated $50,260,000 in personal income, brought in $10,403,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $187,280,000.
Lumberton Municipal (LBT) located in Lumberton. This airport impacted 150 jobs, generated $12,030,000 in personal income, brought in $1,174,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $29,470,000.
Moore County (SOP) located in Pinehurst/Southern Pines. This airport impacted 650 jobs, generated $58,130,000 in personal income, brought in $7,114,000 in state and local taxes and had a total economic output of $135,520,000.

According to the NCDOT, the state’s airports are also seeing significant growth in passenger services, with total passenger counts climbing to 74.3 million annually. These commercial service facilities connect travelers to 188 airline destinations, supporting business and leisure travel while enhancing the state’s global connectivity.

To explore the full report and learn more about how each airport contributes to its community and the state’s economy, visit the NCDOT State of Aviation webpage.

Copyright © 2025 Enhanced Media Management Inc. dba Greater Fayetteville Business Journal
This story may be displayed, reformatted and printed for your personal, noncommercial use only and in accordance with our Terms of Service located at https://bizfayetteville.com/useragreement.