Airports in Wyoming are not only essential transportation links, they also contribute to many sectors of the state’s economy, support a wide variety of essential services, and add to the quality of life for Wyoming residents, businesses, and visitors. The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Aeronautics Division has released the 2026 Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, examining 34 public airports with paved runways across the state.

Beyond direct economic activity, considerable research highlights how Wyoming airports support diverse sectors and critical services—including agriculture and forestry, healthcare and emergency services, aerial firefighting, tourism, and recreation. Data sources for the study included individual airports, aviation business tenants, visitors, WYDOT, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Key Economic Findings:

Total Statewide Impact: Wyoming’s airport system generates an estimated $3.5 billion in total annual economic impact, supporting 21,683 jobs, $1.4 billion in payroll, and $2.1 billion in overall spending.

• Direct Contributions: Public airports directly produce $1.9 billion in annual economic activity, support 13,306 direct jobs, and welcome approximately 717,000 business and recreational visitors to Wyoming each year through commercial and general aviation flights.
• Evaluated Impact Areas: The study evaluated five core categories of economic activity: airport management, airport business tenants, capital investment, general aviation visitor spending, and commercial aviation visitor spending.