FORT MYERS, Fla. (September 11, 2006) – The total contribution from Southwest Florida International Airport to the region’s economy has increased 74 percent during the past six years according to an Economic Impact Study presented today at the joint meeting of the Airports Special Management Committee and the Board of Port Commissioners. In 2005, the airport generated a regional economic impact of more than $3.6 billion dollars annually – up from $2 billion in 1999.

The study, which was conducted by the airport consulting firm Ricondo & Associates for the Lee County Port Authority, analyzed the airport’s direct and indirect contributions to the Southwest Florida economy. Direct impacts include economic activities that would not occur in the absence of the airport, including revenue from airlines, airport shops and restaurants, cargo handlers and other airport operations. Indirect impacts are the effects of increased employment and expenditures created by successive rounds of local spending and hiring.

The total $3.6 billion economic output includes both direct and indirect impacts. It takes into account money spent by companies and agencies that do business at the airport, by visitors who arrive in the area via the airport, and by travel agencies within the airport’s service area, according to the percentage of their business that is aviation-related.

The data showed the airport’s impact on regional employment increased by 48 percent – from 43,940 to 64,800. At the same time, the region’s payroll increased 72 percent due to the airport – from $886 million to $1.5 billion.

"The study quantifies the fact that the airport’s importance extends beyond moving people and cargo," said Robert M. Ball, AAE, executive director of the Lee County Port Authority. "Almost everyone in Southwest Florida, even those who never directly use the airport or its services, enjoys some economic benefit from airport operations. Our new terminal, which just celebrated its first full year of operation has had a tremendous impact on our contribution to the local economy that will continue to increase as we grow,” said Ball.

The airport directly provided more than 2,500 full-time jobs in 2005, which almost doubles the 1,400 jobs provided in 1999. Approximately 60% of these jobs are with airport concessions, including parking, car rental, ground transportation, food and beverage, retail and advertising operations. Employment by airlines and government agencies each account for approximately one-fifth of the total.

The study also examined the economic impact of Page Field, the general aviation airport operated by the Lee County Port Authority. Regional economic impact increased 43 percent – from $35.4 million in 1999 to $50.7 million in 2005.

Southwest Florida International Airport opened in May 1983 and served more than 7.5 million passengers during 2005. The airport ranks among the top 50 in the United States in terms of passenger traffic. The original terminal reached its capacity seven years earlier than predicted and, on September 9, 2005, airport operations moved to a new $438 million terminal complex, south of the airport's runway.

LCPA/EIS 06 Rls