Blue Grass Airport is an important component of Lexington’s economy, contributing to both the Lexington area and other parts of Kentucky. The airport is the primary air service provider for not only central Kentucky, but also for much of eastern and southern Kentucky, serving a 54-county area.

Because of the airport, residents of Lexington and the region can more conveniently access the national air transportation system, allowing them to conduct business in all parts of the U.S. and internationally, to visit family and friends and to enjoy vacation destinations. The airport also makes it easy for hundreds of thousands of visitors to come to Lexington for business meetings and leisure attractions that the region has to offer.

In 2024, Blue Grass Airport released the results of an economic impact study that focused on both the quantitative and qualitative impacts of the airport on the region, showcasing its contributions to local employment, payroll and overall economic output. This study accounted for economic activity related to the airport’s day-to-day operation, capital improvement projects undertaken by both the airport and on-airport organizations, and visitors coming to the region by airline and private aviation aircraft. Based on 2023 data, the economic impact study determined that Blue Grass Airport is responsible for: