Virginia’s airports contribute $28.8 billion in economic activity to the state annually, according to a report by the Virginia Department of Aviation.

Approximately 259,000 jobs are created and sustained by Virginia’s airports, the report said. In all, $11.1 billion in payroll is realized as a result of jobs created at airports throughout the state.

"Each job at Virginia’s airports supports an additional seven jobs in the state," the report said. "Every $1 spent at a Virginia airport contributes an additional $3.48 in economic activity for the state," it said.

In this region, Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport is responsible for more than 3,300 jobs, the report said, while Norfolk International Airport is responsible for more than 10,200 jobs.

More than 69,000 people each day board commercial aircraft in Virginia, the report said, and more than 6,000 aircraft take off and land at Virginia’s airports, according to the Vi...