Airport Summarizes Year-End Accomplishments
Punta Gorda, FL (December 19, 2022) – Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) new Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study values Punta Gorda Airport’s (PGD) total economic impact (output) at $1.7 billion, up from $1.275 billion in its 2019 report.
While there are about 1,500 jobs directly on-airport, the FDOT profile attributes more than 11,000 jobs to PGD when including the visitor spending component, supplier sales and other jobs that result directly and indirectly (multiplier effect) from the airport’s success. The FDOT also attributes a $541 million payroll to PGD, which reflects the total compensation for work, including gross wages, salaries, employer-provided benefits and taxes paid to government on behalf of employees. The report can be found on FlyPGD.com under “Airport Operations” by clicking on “Passenger Stats & Economics.”
“Punta Gorda Airport is an economic success story that our entire community can take pride in,” said Charlotte County Airport Authority (CCAA) Board Chair Robert Hancik. “Not only do we have outstanding airline partners, we have a strong general aviation community, growing workforce education opportunities and lots of other business activity on site.”
In the past year, CCAA has experienced successes and milestones despite the setbacks brought on by Hurricane Ian. By year-end, total passenger traffic will surpass 1.8 million – topping 2019’s previous record of 1,644,916, thanks to growing service from Allegiant and Sun Country airlines.
Other milestones in 2022 include:
- CCAA opened the PGD Air Center, it’s new 13,500-square-foot general aviation facility on Challenger Boulevard, just east of the 600-series T-Hangars in the PGD AviEx development area. The PGD Air Center houses FBO operations, aircraft fueling, meeting and event space, pilot lounge and amenities, office suites and aircraft parking on a 510,000-square-foot ramp.
- In partnership with Charlotte Technical College, CCAA received a $3 million Department of Economic Opportunity grant to build a larger Aviation Maintenance Technician School to meet the growing demand for FAA-certified A&P mechanics. This project is entering the design phase.
- CCAA completed the majority of its FAA-funded rehabilitation of Runway 4-22, which is set to reopen as the primary commercial runway in January 2023.
- CEO James W. Parish, P.E. was honored as Air Carrier Airport Manager of the year from the FAA’s Southern Region.
- Driven by the continued growth, CCAA designed new T-Hangars and commercial hangars that will be constructed in 2023. CCAA also completed a Terminal Planning Study in anticipation of expanding the Bailey Terminal.
“A successful airport is in a continual state of improvement and expansion,” said PGD’s CEO James W. Parish. “We have a great staff that is working to keep operations running smoothly and customers happy while we ramp up for the next phase of capital improvement projects.”
