NEW HAVEN – A new study from the University of Connecticut’s Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA) that was sponsored by the Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport Authority has reaffirmed that the planned expansion of Tweed-New Haven Airport will generate significant economic output.
In terms of total economic output, by 2027 Tweed will contribute $444 million to the state of Connecticut, and $368 million to New Haven County specifically, the report shows.
By 2032, their conservative estimates find that state impact will grow to $480 million, with $390 million of that occurring in New Haven County. By 2060, the impacts amount to more than $1.3 billion for the state and $1.15 billion for the county.
The UConn study findings are consistent with earlier data from FLARE Aviation Consulting, which completed a similar study in 2020. Both studies provide validated, complementary data showing that the expansion of the airport, and the resulting increase in air travel, will generate substantial long-term economic benefits for local residents, municipalities, and the state.
The new CCEA report evaluates the potential economic impacts of expanding Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) through two scenarios. The first focuses on planned airport expansions supported by current airline operations. The second incorporates additional, complementary drivers of growth, as detailed in the full report.
Even under the conservative scenario, CCEA finds that HVN’s expansion will generate:
- A total jobs impact of 2,281 in 2026, climbing to 2,465 by 2029. By 2060, annual county job impacts will reach 5,187.
- Approximately $100 million in construction impact by 2030, part of $277 million in total construction by 2060.
“This project is about more than expanding an airport — it’s about unlocking long-term economic potential for our region,” said Michael Jones, CEO of The New HVN. “It reinforces the vital role Tweed can play in growing Southern Connecticut’s economy and strengthening the assets that drive our communities forward.”
CCEA’s 2025 report uses a dynamic model based on current enplanement levels (>669,000), and focuses only on jobs held by New Haven County and Connecticut residents. The CCEA model also accounts for additional future impacts such as the construction of a new, nearby hotel, the emergence of eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) air taxi service, and increases in medical tourism.
In contrast, the FLARE model is a static snapshot based on 1 million annual enplanements and includes all jobs generated as a result of airport activity, regardless of residency.
The studies, conducted five years apart using different models, offer complementary insights validating the opportunities enabled by The New HVN revitalization plans.
