Given today’s economic environment, it’s not too often that we hear “good news” stories related to the economy. That’s why it is important to highlight a local success story.
Can you guess what it is?
Think in terms of 6,670 jobs created over five years. Think about a community asset that serves nearly 9 million people every year. Think about an investment in the community that returns $2 to the local economy for every $1 invested—without the use of any taxpayer dollars.
Think about a showcase for local businesses.
Did John Wayne Airport come to mind? If you’ve flown out of or into the airport in the past year—and research indicates that approximately six out of 10 Orange County residents over 18 years old have—then you probably noticed the work being done as part of the Airport Improvement Program.
Jobs
It’s easy to overlook the importance of an airport to the local economy and our daily lives. John Wayne Airport contributes tens of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars directly and indirectly to the local economy. In addition, locally based companies doing business nationally—from high tech to tourism to health care—need reliable, convenient air travel.
The reality is that nearly $7 billion is spent annually by the 42.1 million people who visit Orange County each year. To remain competitive, Orange County must have an airport that gets business and leisure travelers where they want to go.
John Wayne Airport meets that critical need, which is essential to retaining and growing those companies that have chosen to do business in our region, as well as remaining a leading choice for leisure travelers.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved construction of the new facilities at John Wayne Airport to better serve the traveling public—both business and leisure travelers. The airport had been operating at or near its capacity for several years, so very few new flights could be added.
The completion of the new facilities brings the potential for new nonstop flights. And each new flight means more spending by visitors at Orange County businesses.
$543 Million
The $543 million Airport Improvement Program includes the new Terminal C with six new, bridged aircraft gates and six new commuter gates, a new parking structure featuring about 2,000 parking spaces, more security lanes and other improvements that support efficiency.
Terminal C adds 282,000 square feet of new space to the airport’s 448,000 square feet of existing space in terminals A and B, and includes gates that are equipped to service international flights, which could begin as early as June.
The new dining and shopping options opening at John Wayne Airport will include Orange County-based or -themed restaurants such as Ruby’s Diner, Zov’s, Jerry’s Wood-Fired Dogs, Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill and Javi’s.
It’s no coincidence that the economic growth of Orange County and the evolution of John Wayne Airport are closely linked. Consider that the Eddie Martin Terminal, the airport’s first, was built in 1967, and the Thomas F. Riley Terminal opened in 1990. Both have played important roles in spurring economic growth in Orange County.
With the opening of Terminal C in 2011, let’s be thankful we have invested in a critical driver of our local economy.
The Orange County Business Journal welcomes Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed pieces. Submissions should be 100 to 500 words and will be edited for space and clarity. There is no guarantee submissions will be published. Manuscripts, photos and other materials submitted will become the property of the Orange County Business Journal and will not be returned. Send submissions via email to letters@ocbj.com, via fax to (949) 833-8751, or via standard mail to the Editor at 18500 Von Karman Ave., Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92612
