Recent findings from the Kansas Aviation Economic Impact Study show that Kansas airports generate $2.3 billion in payroll and produce $10.4 billion in economic activity.
The report, issued Wednesday, was also coupled with 25 grant awards from around the state for improvement projects at various airports across the state.
The 25 airport grants, including an award for the Atkinson Municipal Airport in Pittsburg for taxiway repair and the installation of a ground communications outlet, totaled $1.3 million and were part of a pilot program connected to the Kansas Airport System Plan that was completed in 2009.
“Under the pilot, we asked communities to submit projects that would help plug gaps in the Kansas aviation system that were identified in the strategic plan,” said KDOT Secretary Deb Miller.
The selected projects include a range of improvements such as communications upgrades, runway and taxiway repairs and installation of weather systems. Also funded is an airport feasibility study for the city of Greensburg.
The grant for Pittsburg will provide direct communication equipment for its tower.
Currently, any air traffic attempting to take off from Pittsburg has to route through a remote location in Fort Worth, Texas then on to Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Kansas City, Mo.
City officials hope that new equipment will allow for more direct communication with ATC and avoid delays.
“It can cause delays because people will be on the ground just waiting,” said Pittsburg Director of Public Works Bill Beasley.
According to Beasley, an independent company can provide a ground transportation outlet that will allow for traffic at the Atkinson Airport to directly communicate with ATC in Kansas City. He said that the cost for the equipment ranges from $10,000 to $12,000.
The KDOT funding for an airport the size of Pittsburg is 50 percent of the total cost.
With regards to the study, it was funded by a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, assessed the impact of the state’s eight commercial and 132 general aviation airports. It focused on identifying economic benefits associated with the businesses and tenants that are located on each of the airports.
“Whether moving goods, providing emergency assistance or connecting our communities, airports play a critical role in the Kansas economy,” said Lt. Gov. Troy Findley.
Matthew Clark can be reached at matthew.clark@morningsun.net or at 620-231-2600, Ext. 140
