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America's Friendliest Airport

ECONOMIC IMPACT

Our Success Story

Total Impact

Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the nation as people from around the United States and abroad continue to discover the opportunity-rich business climate and unparalleled quality of life enjoyed by Valley residents.

The Phoenix Airport System provides the people and products of the dynamic metropolitan Phoenix economy access to the markets of the world. The airport is also a major component of the Phoenix economy, creating jobs, income, and revenues both on and off the airport. The Phoenix Airport System had a total economic impact (including multiplier effects) of $26.3 billion in 2003.

The direct impact of Sky Harbor International Airport was $6.5 billion. There were 31,437 jobs at the airport in 2003, with a payroll of $1.5 billion. On-airport employment increased 28 percent, from 24,516 jobs in 2000.

The Phoenix Airport System provides a source of employment and payroll for airline employees and other airport workers such as food service, security, and air traffic control personnel. Another benefit is that efficient air connections make the Valley of the Sun a prime destination for vacation and business travelers. The Airport System supports a tourism industry with air traveler expenditures calculated at $5.2 billion in 2003. Best of all, this huge economic base is generated at no cost to Phoenix taxpayers.

View the documents below for more information on the Phoenix Airport System’s economic impact.