AASHTO Journal - Wyoming Airports Generate $3.5B in Economic Impact

A new report compiled by the Aeronautics Division of the Wyoming Department of Transportation found that the state’s airports support an estimated 21,683 jobs and generate $3.5 billion worth of economic impact yearly, consisting of $1.4 billion in payroll and $2.1 billion in spending.

[Above photo by WYDOT]

That report – officially called the “2026 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study” – surveyed Wyoming’s 40 publicly owned, public-use airports, as well as 34 paved commercial service and general aviation airports; showing how each contributes to commerce, transportation, tourism and economic activity across the state.

The study evaluated five categories of economic activity at each airport: general aviation visitor spending, commercial aviation visitor spending, capital investment, airport business tenants, and airport management.

“This study demonstrates just how important Wyoming’s airports are to the economic vitality of our communities and our state,” noted Shawn Burke, administrator of WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division, in a statement.

“From supporting local businesses and jobs to connecting residents, visitors and industries, aviation is an essential part of our state’s transportation system,” he said. “We are proud of the work happening across the state to strengthen and improve aviation in Wyoming.”

[Editor’s note: WYDOT recently released a video report about the Casper/Natrona County International Airport groundbreaking on a new $30 million air traffic control tower; replacing the airport’s nearly 70-year-old tower.]

WYDOT’s study also found that economic benefits of aviation extend well beyond airport property, as airport businesses purchase goods and services from other Wyoming businesses, employees spend their earnings in local communities, and suppliers hire workers and purchase materials to support aviation-related activity.

These dollars circulate through Wyoming’s economy generating additional jobs, payroll and spending. These secondary effects are known as indirect and induced impacts. Combined with direct impacts, they make up the total economic impact of Wyoming’s airport system, the report noted.