State of Aviation

Welcome to our aviation overview. Here you’ll find insights into the economic impact of aviation across North Carolina, followed by a closer look at flight operations at Michael J. Smith Field Airport (MRH).

The Economic Impact of Aviation in North Carolina

We’re proud to be part of North Carolina’s broader aviation landscape. Below you’ll find statewide statistics that show how airports across the state contribute to economic development, connect communities, and support everything from business travel to cargo operations.

The Carteret County-Beaufort Airport Authority and Michael J. Smith Field proudly endorse the NC Department of Transportation’s latest State of Aviation report (January 2025).

As stewards of one of North Carolina’s vital coastal aviation facilities, we’re honored to be part of a network that creates such tremendous impact across our state. Our airport’s contribution of $77.3 million in economic impact and 385 jobs reflects the broader success story of North Carolina’s 72 public airports and their essential role in our communities.

For pilots, businesses, and community members, North Carolina’s aviation system offers world-class facilities, expanding services, and a commitment to innovation. Every dollar invested in our aviation infrastructure returns over $500 in economic output, demonstrating the vital role our airports play in driving prosperity across the state.

As highlighted in this report, aviation continues to be a powerful economic engine for North Carolina. The Carteret County-Beaufort Airport Authority takes pride in contributing to this success through our stewardship of Michael J. Smith Field.

We remain committed to serving our region’s pilots, businesses, and residents while supporting the state’s broader aviation mission. This comprehensive report from NCDOT demonstrates how investments in aviation infrastructure generate substantial returns for communities across North Carolina through job creation, business growth, and enhanced emergency response capabilities.

Statewide Economic Impacts

$88 billion in annual economic output – 11% of North Carolina’s GDP
427,000 jobs supported across the state
$34 billion in personal income generated
$4.8 billion in state and local tax revenues

Advantages for Business

96% of NC residents live within 30-minute drive of a public airport
10 commercial service airports offering expanding passenger service
62 general aviation airports supporting business operations
Growing aerospace manufacturing sector with 200+ companies
Robust maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) infrastructure

Recent Developments

Significant expansion of international flight options from RDU and CLT
New electric aircraft charging infrastructure at Raleigh Executive Jetport
Leading-edge advanced air mobility and drone technology initiatives
Major infrastructure investments improving airport facilities statewide
Critical role in Hurricane Helene (2024) disaster response efforts

Report produced by the NC Department of Transportation Division of Aviation, January 2025.

Flight Activity at Michael J. Smith Field (MRH)

Using data from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Traffic Flow Management System, the video tracks monthly flight patterns for aircraft operating under Instrument Flight Rules—typically the longer-distance flights that connect our airport to destinations across the region and beyond. Explore a year of aviation activity at Michael J. Smith Field Airport through this comprehensive data visualization of 2024 flight operations.

While these IFR flights represent a portion of our total operations, they offer a clear picture of how our airport serves the community throughout the year, with patterns that reflect seasonal travel trends and our role in North Carolina’s aviation network.

Together, these perspectives—statewide and local—tell the story of aviation’s important role in keeping North Carolina moving.

What This Visualization Shows

This video presents month-by-month flight animations derived from the FAA’s Traffic Flow Management System Counts (TFMSC), documenting all filed instrument flight plans for arrivals and departures at Michael J. Smith Field Airport during 2024. The data captures flights operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and tracked by FAA enroute computers, including commercial flights, general aviation aircraft, and military operations.

Understanding the Data

While this visualization represents flights with filed IFR flight plans—typically longer-distance flights captured by federal aviation tracking systems—it provides valuable insight into MRH’s connectivity and traffic patterns throughout 2024. These IFR operations account for a significant portion of the airport’s annual activity and best represent intercity and regional air traffic connections.

Applications and Insights

This FAA flight data visualization serves aviation professionals, community stakeholders, travelers, and aviation enthusiasts interested in:

Annual flight activity trends at Michael J. Smith Field Airport
Seasonal variations in arrivals and departures
Understanding regional aviation connectivity
Airport operations planning and analysis
Air traffic patterns throughout the calendar year

About the Data Source

All flight information presented is sourced directly from official Federal Aviation Administration records through the Traffic Flow Management System Counts database, ensuring accuracy and reliability for professional and analytical purposes.