Calgary Corporate and GA Communities
The Calgary Transportation Authority commissioned this Study
in 1998, with direct support from COPA. The study was conducted by an
independent contractor - RP Erickson & Associates and was completed in April of
1998.
This study is used by COPA as a tool to show communities just what the economic
impact of their airport is – how it creates jobs and economic opportunities for
the community. The report clearly illustrates why airports are important and why
they deserve to be treated as “transportation infrastructure” within the
community.
Roads and airports are both “transportation infrastructure”. Most communities
have no problem understanding that roads bring prosperity to communities and
should not be privatized or subject to fees for use. Most communities realize
that to do that would drive business and tourists away and cripple their local
economy. These same communities often consider that airports are a “cash cow”
and can’t understand why they shouldn’t at least “pay their own way”. Roads
don’t directly “pay their own way” and neither should any other “transportation
infrastructure” – sewers, sidewalks or airports. This study shows just how much
prosperity is on the table when local governments make decisions that cripple
their airport.
Please feel free to read the study and use it in your community to help educate
your community members – citizens and government officials – to the value of
their airport.
An Economic Impact Survey of the Calgary
Corporate and General Aviation Communities (MS Word)