In this report prepared for Continental Airlines, a NERA team led by Senior Vice President Dr. David Harrison, who leads NERA’s work in the area of regional economic analysis, evaluated the impacts of Continental Airlines operations in the New York City area on the New York/New Jersey regional economy.

The study found that Continental currently contributes over 110,000 jobs to the New York/New Jersey region, along with $5.9 billion in personal income and $6.3 billion in gross regional product. By 2030, Continental's operations are projected to contribute 128,000 jobs to New York/New Jersey employment, $11 billion to the region’s personal income, and $12 billion in gross regional product.

The assessment considered the direct contributions made by Continental employees, suppliers, and passengers as well as the multiplier effects of increased spending on the regional economy. To conduct the analysis, NERA used data from Continental and outside sources in conjunction with a state-of-the-art regional economic model developed by Regional Economic Models, Inc. (REMI) that incorporated extensive data on economic conditions in the New York/New Jersey region.