An assessment of the assessment: The need for and development of a new approach for estimating the impact an airport has on its regional economy

This dissertation examines and critiques the Federal Aviation Administration's methodology for capturing the economic impact an airport has on its regional economy. Through a qualitative analysis of airport economic impact assessments, it was found that the dominant methodology used for capturing the economic impact an airport has on its regional economy is the Federal Aviation Administration's 1992 Guidance document. A comparison of two recent airport economic impact studies for Charlotte Douglas and Raleigh-Durham International Airport revealed significant differences when calculating indirect impacts. A new airport economic impact assessment methodology is offered and tested. The results show that the new methodology is basically an update to the Federal Aviation Administration's 1992 Guidance Document in that it offers a more comprehensive approach for airports interested in conducting economic impact assessments. The new methodology also addresses some of the critiques of the FAA methodology identified through the qualitative analysis.