North Carolina is the location of the first successful powered airplane flight. Orville Wright took off at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, cementing his and his brother’s, Wilbur’s, legacy as the pioneers of modern aviation. Given North Carolina’s connection to flight, it makes sense that aviation would be an essential sector in the state’s economy.
According to a January report from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the aviation industry in North Carolina contributes 11% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product, $88 billion to its economy annually. The 2025 North Carolina: The State of Aviation biennial report outlines the extensive economic impact of the state’s aviation sector, containing data compiled and analyzed by NC State University’s Institute for Transportation Research and Education.
“North Carolina’s aviation industry is not only a cornerstone of our economy but also a key driver of innovation,” Nick Short, interim director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation, said in a press release. “This report highlights the critical role our airports play in fostering economic growth, supporting new technologies, and positioning the state as a leader in the future of aviation.”
Video Courtesy NCDOTcommunications
There are 10 commercial service airports, 62 general aviation airports, and 21 commercial airlines that operate in the Tarheel State. The airports are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems, which signifies they are crucial to the national airport system. These facilities support a range of economic sectors, such as aerospace manufacturing, agriculture, emergency response, military operations, and tourism.
In 2023, the airports serviced more than 74.3 million passengers — up 30% from 2021 — with about 96% of the state’s residents living within a 30-minute drive of a public airport. The increase in passengers is evident throughout the state.
According to the report, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) doubled its nonstop international destinations. Likewise, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, home to American Airlines’ second-largest hub in the United States, offers more than 180 non-stop destinations, including more than 35 international locations.
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“An 88% increase in international travel since 2022 helped make RDU the fastest-growing Top 50 airport in the country last year,” Mike Landguth, president and CEO of the RDU Authority, said in a statement in the report. “RDU now offers travelers in the Research Triangle Region more choices than ever before, including a record number of nonstop international destinations.”
According to the report, North Carolina’s 72 public airports support 427,000 jobs, generating $34 billion in personal income and producing $4.8 billion in state and local tax revenues. In 2023, customers supported more than 17,000 airline jobs in the state, with the average salary at $96,888.
Even with its current economic impact, North Carolina’s aviation industry continues to grow. More than 200 aerospace manufacturers and suppliers and over 200 aircraft maintenance-related firms call the state home. Likewise, according to the report, eight military bases employ 145,000 people, with Elizabeth City Regional Airport as a vital hub for “military operations and community growth.”
Photo Courtesy Honda Aircraft Company
The report says DMA Industries LLC, an aftermarket automotive and heavy-duty replacement parts supplier, is expanding and modernizing its distribution operations in Columbus County.
Likewise, Honda Aircraft Company’s global headquarters has been in Greensboro since the company was established in 2006. The company is expanding its footprint in Guilford County to manufacture a lighter, longer-range version of its HondaJet aircraft.
Marshall, a global firm in the maintenance, repair, and overhaul sector based in the United Kingdom, is expected to open its first U.S. facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) in mid-2025. The facility will employ more than 200 people.
“We are very excited to be joining the thriving aerospace and engineering ecosystem and community around PTI,” Bob Baxter, chief growth officer at Marshall, said in a statement. “The Piedmont Triad region stands out for its skilled local workforce, excellent training facilities, and being a great place to live, all of which were key factors in our site selection process.”
With the growth outlined in the report, it seems the sky is the limit for North Carolina’s aviation industry.
