Report: NC aviation industry generates $88 billion, passenger demand up 20%

Aviation in North Carolina contributes 11% of North Carolina’s Gross Domestic Product (GP), making a total impact of $88 billion to the state economy annually, according to a new report from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).

The 2025 State of Aviation biennial report, released Friday, outlines the extensive economic impact of the state’s aviation sector. With 10 commercial service airports and 62 general aviation airports, aviation facilities support a range of sectors, such as agriculture, military operations, emergency response, and aerospace innovation.

“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. “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.”

North Carolina’s 72 public airports not only contribute $88 billion to the state’s economy every year but also support 427,000 jobs that generate $34 billion in personal income and produce $4.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.​

About 96% of the state population lives within a 30-minute drive of a public airport. Passenger demand grew to 74.3 million in 2023, up 30% from 2021 and 20% from the pre-pandemic figure of 62 million. Customers support an estimated 17,000 airline jobs in North Carolina with the average salary standing at $96,888. With Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) doubling the number of nonstop international destinations, there are 188 total airline destinations with departures from North Carolina.

“An 88% increase in international travel since 2022 helped make RDU the fastest-growing Top 50 airport in the country last year,” said Mike Landguth, President and CEO of Raleigh Durham International Airport Authority. “RDU now offers travelers in the Research Triangle Region more choices than ever before, including a record number of nonstop international destinations.”

While passenger aviation produces the bulk of North Carolina’s demand, aviation is crucial in a variety of other sectors as well. On the cargo side of airline transport, 440,000 tons of cargo moved through the state’s airports in 2023, supporting nearly 500 jobs that pay an average wage of $67,280.

North Carolina’s military installations also partner with airports and have eight of their own bases with military aviation.

Aerospace manufacturing is prevalent in North Carolina, as well, with Honda Aircraft Company expanding its footprint in Guilford County to manufacture a lighter, longer-range
version of its HondaJet aircraft. The futuristic product was awarded the 2024 “Coolest Thing Made in NC.”

“These findings affirm that North Carolina’s aviation system continues fueling economic growth, turning public investments into jobs and revenues, and connecting people, companies and communities to markets and destinations worldwide,” the report states.

Last month, the US Department of Transportation announced that NCDOT’s Division of Aviation was selected to receive $1.1 million in a federal grant to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies and build safer, more efficient transportation systems. The Division will develop a program that uses ‘drone-in-a-box’ technology, in which an autonomous drone can be placed in a community before a storm and then be deployed remotely to start collecting images of damage and deliver emergency supplies.

SEE ALSO: Feds award NCDOT $1 million grant to develop disaster response drone program

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