Transportation
BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
New Braunfels National Airport fuels local economy
As the New Braunfels National Airport contin- ues to grow, so do its contributions to the local economy. The airport is on track to increase its operations by 8% this year. The setup The airport was reclassified from the New Braunfels Regional Airport to the New Braunfels National Airport in 2021, according to previous reporting by Community Impact . It is now 1 of 142 airports classified as a national airport. In Texas, it is 1 of 15 airports with a national designation. The Federal Aviation Administration’s reclas- sification means the New Braunfels National Airport is deemed as a “key player” in the entirety of the national airport system, Airport Director Robert Lee said. Not only does that mean the airport handles international flights, but it also means it has access to more federal grant funding.
A closer look In fiscal year 2017-18, the airport was averaging about 4,500 in operations, totaling 54,000 opera- tions for the year. In fiscal year 2023-24, the airport was averaging over 6,500 operations a month, which is an indicator that more aircrafts are using the airport and more businesses are coming to New Braunfels, Lee said. “As the airport grows, it’s indicative of city growth but it also entices companies that have an aviation arm to use New Braunfels,” he said. Based on Q1 averages, the airport is on track to conclude fiscal year 2024-25 with 85,000 opera- tions, Lee said. The impact With over $56 million in private investment at the airport today, general aviation is an “integral” part of New Braunfels’ local economy, said Jeff Jewell, director of economic and community development. It helps keep property tax rates down while
New Braunfels National Airport operations Operations are airplanes flying in and out of the airport between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Monthly average
6,548
5,741
5,532
0 20K 40K 60K 80K
4,513
2017-18
2019-20 2021-22 2023-24
Fiscal year
SOURCE: NEW BRAUNFELS NATIONAL AIRPORT/COMMUNITY IMPACT
supporting local businesses. “The city is able to collect more resources in order to improve services throughout the commu- nity and doesn’t have to pass that cost onto other property owners,” he said.
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