Despite a sluggish economy and lingering effects of 9/11, business at King County International Airport (KCIA), contributed more than $1.6 billion to the Puget Sound economy in 2002. The figure comes from a recently completed economic impact study conducted by Dr. William Beyers at the University of Washington and represents an increase of some $170 million since the last economic study conducted in 1998.

KCIA is home base for more than 150 businesses such as the Boeing Company, Galvin Flying Service and UPS. Tenants include commercial airlines, airfreight companies, aircraft service and repair, flight schools, charter operations and helicopter services. The airport is also home for hundreds of small aircraft owners who rent hanger space and tie-downs for recreational and business purposes.

The airport is owned and operated by King County, but does not receive any general tax dollars. It is completely supported by user fees such as on-site rents and tenant fees in addition to some Federal Aviation Administration revenues.

"The $500,000 voters overwhelmingly approved in the 1920s to build the airport continues to represent a tremendous investment for the county today," King County Executive Ron Sims said. "For many years King County International Airport has been one of the top general aviation airports in the country and continues to be a major catalyst for economic growth throughout the Puget Sound region."

"The economic study attributes the increase in business activity to airport tenants reporting new product development and general business growth," KCIA Director Bob Burke said. "According to a tenant survey conducted in conjunction with the economic study, 70 percent of tenants say they anticipate an increase in their future revenues, which means more positive economic news may be in store for the region."

In many cases, airport tenants have indicated they believe continued growth will occur as a result of the economy’s recovery, while others point to growth projected to occur within their own industry. Passenger air and air cargo tenants, along with service industry tenants are the most likely to expect an increase in sales in the coming years.

The study estimates the airport directly and indirectly generates 10,201 jobs.

In addition, nearly $39 million in state and local taxes were generated by the airport’s economic activity. The report concludes this economic activity would not be present in King County if KCIA were not operating here.