New Study Finds Airport Generates $3.9 Billion in Annual Regional Output, Supports 18,350 Jobs, and Has Nearly Doubled Its Economic Footprint Since 2015
VAN NUYS, Calif. – Van Nuys Airport (VNY) has released an Economic Impact Study showing significant growth in the airport’s contributions to the Southern California economy, including 77 percent more jobs, 46 percent more output, and 27 percent more labor income compared to 2015, after adjusting for inflation. These numbers surpass findings from a 2016 study conducted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). VNY Airport Manager Jacob Haik announced the findings today at Van Nuys City Hall during a regular meeting of the Board of Airport Commissioners. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) CEO John Ackerman was also present and referenced the analysis in his official board report.
The study finds that VNY currently generates $3.9 billion in regional output annually, supports 18,350 jobs, contributes $1.1 billion in labor income, and adds $2.2 billion to the region’s gross domestic product, making it one of the most economically significant general aviation airports in the United States. VNY is also a meaningful contributor to the region’s tax base, generating $197 million in state and local tax revenue annually. The vast majority of the airport’s economic impact, including 89 percent of employment and 81 percent of output, remains within Los Angeles County, with significant benefits reaching all five County Supervisorial Districts and all 15 City Council Districts.
“Van Nuys Airport is a vital part of LAWA’s regional aviation network and a powerful engine for economic growth across Los Angeles,” said John Ackerman, CEO of LAWA. “This study underscores the far-reaching value of strategic investment in our airports, which support critical industries, strengthen the region’s competitiveness, and create jobs. With 89% of the jobs generated by Van Nuys Airport staying within Los Angeles County, the airport’s economic benefits are felt directly in the communities we serve.”
As a general aviation airport owned and operated by LAWA, VNY serves as a critical economic and infrastructure asset for both the San Fernando Valley and the City of Los Angeles. Dedicated to noncommercial aviation uses, the airport supports jobs, workforce pathways, and regional economic activity while playing an essential role within LAWA’s broader airport system.
“These numbers tell a remarkable story of investment and growth,” said Jacob Haik, Airport Manager, Van Nuys Airport. “Van Nuys Airport has nearly doubled its economic footprint over the past decade, and that momentum reflects the strength of the businesses, workers, and communities that call this airport home. We’re proud to be an engine of opportunity for the San Fernando Valley.”
Recent infrastructure projects at VNY reflect a sustained effort to prioritize small business engagement and workforce opportunities for Southern California residents. Of the two general contractors and engineering organizations involved in the recent Van Nuys Taxiway Reconstruction Project, one is on track to meet or exceed its 15% Disadvantaged Business Enterprise goal, currently at 14.6%. At that firm, more than 80% of new hires attended schools in Southern California, while local hire policies at the second firm ensure that many employees live less than five minutes from the airfield. These statistics reflect a deliberate effort to funnel opportunities to small businesses and create job opportunities in the immediate vicinity of the airfield.
“Van Nuys Airport plays an outsized role in the Valley’s business ecosystem, from aviation and manufacturing to logistics and professional services,” said Sonya Kay Blake, President & CEO, The Valley Economic Alliance (VEA). “Its economic impact supports local employers and reinforces the Valley as a place where businesses can grow and compete.”
The study marks a major step forward from the last comparable economic impact analysis, conducted in 2016 by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC). The airport’s economic activity reaches well beyond aviation, with the strongest impacts in transportation and warehousing, real estate, durable goods manufacturing, healthcare, and retail trade.
Van Nuys Airport (VNY): VNY is one of two airports owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), a proprietary, revenue-generating department of the City of Los Angeles. VNY serves as a valued San Fernando Valley resource, providing ongoing leadership in general aviation, business and community service. Dedicated to noncommercial air travel, more than 200 businesses are located on the 730-acre airport, including four major fixed-base operators and numerous aviation service companies. For more information, visit iflyvny.com.
