Iowa Department of Transportation

April 21, 2008

State and regional
contacts listed below

Commercial service airports contribute to Iowa 's economy

AMES, Iowa – A new report released today by the Iowa Department of Transportation's (Iowa DOT) Office of Aviation concludes that commercial service airports contribute significantly to Iowa's economy. The report is part of a larger study on passenger air service in Iowa to be released April 24 at the Iowa Aviation Conference in West Des Moines.

Study airports included all commercial service airports in Iowa, including those in Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Mason City,
Sioux City, and Waterloo. The study also looked at the impact of the bordering airports in Omaha, Neb., and Moline, Ill.

Commercial service airports are transportation assets for Iowa that support passenger air service, cargo, general aviation, military, educational, and economic development activities. Analysis in the economic impact report shows the number of jobs, payroll and economic activity associated with each airport. The report also provides a breakdown of visitor spending, airport operations, and activities involving airlines, general aviation, military, and cargo operations.

Information in the report is expected to assist aviation stakeholders, including local, state and federal officials, in making informed decisions related to operations and investments in commercial airports and passenger air service in Iowa . The information will also assist in educating the public on the benefits of commercial service airports.

While it is not possible to put a dollar value on the role commercial airports play in contributing to business efficiency, major Iowa employers indicate that among factors they consider related to their ability to operate effectively in Iowa proximity to a commercial service airport ranks in the top three. The report also concludes that activity at the study airports results in the following measurable economic benefits in Iowa .

• 14,209 jobs supported by airport activities, spending by visitors arriving in Iowa , businesses located on airports, and capital improvement projects

• $514 million in annual payroll associated with the 14,209 employees whose jobs are linked to the airports

• $1.3 billion in annual total economic activity or output associated with the airports and their operation

Economic impacts associated with airports serving Iowa are listed in the following table.

Iowa Total Economic Impact by Airport

Airport	Associated City	Total Employment*	Totally Payroll	Total Output
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport	Burlington	114	$3,342,600	$10,417,100
The Eastern Iowa Airport	Cedar Rapids	2,695	$94,716,000	$223,983,500
Des Moines International Airport	Des Moines	5,476	$200,616,200	$522,400,100
Dubuque Regional Airport	Dubuque	383	$13,272,000	$34,386,200
Fort Dodge Regional Airport	Fort Dodge	279	$11,236,000	$36,185,000
Mason City Municipal Airport	Mason City	140	$4,668,800	$11,344,600
Sioux Gateway Airport	Sioux City	1,570	$64,039,700	$218,603,500
Waterloo Regional Airport	Waterloo	533	$14,723,100	$64,267,000
Iowa Subtotal		11,190	$406,614,400	$1,121,627,000
Quad City International Airport **	Moline	1,280	$46,546,300	$108,393,800
Eppley Airfield **	Omaha	1,739	$61,809,000	$106,894,000
Border Airport Subtotal		3,019	$108,355,300	$215,287,800
Totals		14,209	$514,969,700	$1,336,914,800
Sources: Wilbur Smith Associates and IMPLAN multipliers Notes: * Full-time equivalent; ** Includes only the benefits of these airports realized in Iowa

The entire economic impact report, as well as the results for each of the studied airports, is available on the Iowa DOT's Office of Aviation Web site www.iawings.com.

For comment on the report, media may contact Tim McClung, planning and outreach manager, Iowa DOT's Office of Aviation, at 515-239-1689 or E-mail tim.mcclung@dot.iowa.gov; or study airport representatives listed below.

Southeast Iowa Regional Airport ( Burlington): Sharon Leeper, 319-754-1414
The Eastern Iowa Airport (Cedar Rapids): Pam Hinman, 319-286-5719
Des Moines International Airport: Roy Criss, 515-256-5093
Dubuque Regional Airport: Robert Grierson, 563-589-4232
Fort Dodge Regional Airport: Rhonda Chambers, 515-573-3881
Mason City Municipal Airport: Pam Osgood, 641-421-3397
Sioux Gateway Airport ( Sioux City ): Rick Mc Elroy, 712-279-0170
Waterloo Municipal Airport: Brad Hagen, 319-291-4483

News Release