Airport Economic Benefits

Besides providing commercial and general aviation services to Garden City, Finney County, and the Southwestern Kansas Region, Garden City Regional Airport has an important economic impact. The airport creates jobs, produces income, and influences regional spending levels. In conjunction with the master planning efforts, an economic benefit study was prepared for the airport.

Quantitative Benefits

Airports benefit the regional economy through revenues, earnings (salaries), and employment associated with aviation activity both on and off the airport. There are three types of economic benefits associated with activity at Garden City Regional Airport:

• Direct Benefits are created from the supply of aviation goods and services on the airport by commercial airlines, rental car agencies, fixed based operators, flight instructors, mechanics, and airport administration.

• Indirect Benefits are created by visitors who arrive via the airport for business or personal reasons and spend locally for food, lodging, entertainment, etc.

• Induced Benefits are created by multiplier effects as spending recirculates within the community.