New economic impact study finds Memphis International Airport supports 67,550 jobs and $10.7 billion output

Memphis International Airport’s statewide footprint

Memphis International Airport supports an estimated 67,550 jobs and contributes $10.7 billion in economic output across Tennessee, a new economic impact study found. The report is part of a statewide assessment of commercial aviation’s role in Tennessee’s economy, using calendar-year 2024 data and measuring impacts tied to airport activity, visitor spending and capital investment.

Within the $10.7 billion total attributed to Memphis International Airport, the study breaks the impact into three main components: $8.34 billion from on-airport activities, $1.9 billion from visitor spending, and $402 million associated with capital improvements. The report also estimates the airport’s activity generates $1.5 billion in taxes in total, including $1.1 billion in federal taxes, $300 million in state taxes, and $100 million in local taxes.

How the study defines “economic impact”

Airport economic impact studies typically aggregate multiple channels of activity tied to an airport’s operations and connectivity. These can include employment and payroll connected to airlines, airport operations, concession and ground transportation services, as well as indirect and induced effects that reflect supply-chain activity and household spending supported by airport-related wages.

The study frames the airport’s economic benefits as extending beyond direct employment, reflecting broader contributions through economic output and related measures.

Tennessee’s five commercial airports, in context

The Memphis findings were released alongside results for Tennessee’s other primary commercial service airports—Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville and the Tri-Cities. Across the five airports, the study estimates a combined $28.3 billion total economic impact, with more than 171,000 jobs facilitated by airport activity statewide. It also estimates $4.1 billion in total taxes generated, comprised of $2.5 billion federal, $1.08 billion state, and $548 million local.

The statewide totals represent a reported $8.8 billion increase—about 45%—compared with a prior state-sponsored study based on calendar-year 2019.

Investment and capacity pressures

The study also emphasizes continued investment needs at commercial airports, identifying terminal facilities, airfield infrastructure and roadway access as areas tied to future demand and competitive positioning. For Memphis International Airport, this is occurring as the facility continues work on long-term modernization and structural upgrades intended to improve safety, passenger flow and operational efficiency.

What these numbers may mean for the Mid-South

While the study reports statewide totals, the Memphis airport’s scale—particularly its concentration of on-airport activity—positions it as a major logistics and travel node for the broader Mid-South economy. The report’s breakdown suggests the airport’s influence is driven primarily by activity occurring at the airport itself, supplemented by visitor spending and construction-related outlays linked to capital projects.

• Jobs supported: 67,550

• Statewide economic output: $10.7 billion

• On-airport activity share: $8.34 billion

• Visitor spending share: $1.9 billion

• Capital improvements share: $402 million

• Total taxes estimated: $1.5 billion

Airport officials and state aviation stakeholders are expected to use the study’s findings in planning discussions tied to future infrastructure priorities, financing strategies and regional economic development initiatives.