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Chicago Executive Airport Economic Impact Study–2007 Page 5-1
Chapter 5 - Business User Impacts and Other Benefits
As regional business markets become more national and even global in scale, airports are
increasingly seen as prerequisites for local economic development. However, insufficient
transportation systems can seriously impede actual economic development. As time constraints
and dependability become increasingly important, the role of air transport for both goods and
personnel continues to increase. Further, the commercial air transportation system struggles to
accommodate demand as airline load factors continue to reach new highs. 9 Given this
paradigm, corporations increasingly use the more direct, dependable and controllable flight
options that general aviation transport provides in moving key personnel and essential freight.
This is especially evident in the Chicago area where O’Hare International Airport, one of the
busiest in the world, is continually plagued by flight delays and/or cancellations due to
congestion and severe weather. While the preceding economic impact analysis evaluated the
jobs, income and output associated with the businesses that provide air transport, it did not
address the value of air transport to the businesses that depend on Chicago Executive Airport.
This user impact is vital to the Chicago area economy. However, no definitive manner exists to
measure the value of the airport to the major business users.
Nonetheless, the value is real and is addressed below. This section begins with an overview of
the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and General Aviation Manufactures
Association (GAMA) perspective, followed by a summary of typical business user surveys. A
quantitative perspective is then provided through an estimate of employment levels at the
businesses who have corporate aircraft based at Chicago Executive. The chapter concludes
with qualitative description of the qualitative benefits of how the Airport’s activities affect the
community’s quality of life.
5.1 Aviation-Dependent Industries
Many of the nation's leading employers that use general aviation as a business tool are
members of the NBAA. The NBAA’s Business Aviation Fact Book 2004 indicates that
approximately 75% of all businesses included in the Fortune 500 operate general aviation
aircraft. Moreover, 92 of the Fortune 100 companies operate general aviation aircraft. A
detailed analysis conducted for NBAA in 2004 also indicated that among the Fortune 500 there
were more than twice as many companies operating general aviation aircraft as non-operators.
Business use of general aviation aircraft at Chicago Executive Airport ranges from small singleengine
aircraft rental to multiple aircraft corporate fleets supported by dedicated flight crews and
9 The ATA Factbook – 2007 reports seat load factors (occupied percent of commercial aircraft seats) of
77.6% in 2005 and 79.2% in 2006. While these factors fluctuate monthly, the general annual trend
continues to rise.
Wilbur Smith Associates November 2007