Most Mississippi residents rarely give the state’s 73 airports much attention, except on travel days.

To do so, however, is to miss a substantial economic driver in the state.

Collectively, a recent department of transportation report suggests, the airports shuttle more than 1 million commercial passengers — and thousands more private plane passengers.

In addition, the Mississippi Department of Transportation report suggests the airports create more than $2.5 billion in economic activity each year.

We’ve long viewed the Natchez-Adams County Airport as an untapped resource for economic interests. For many business people who come to town on private aircraft, the airport is the community’s front door.

But beyond that, the county-owned land surrounding the airport could be of huge potential for economic development, particularly in the air and space industries.

Technology has changed the world and much in the way of commerce and business now travels on electrons, but physical transportation of people and goods will always be of high importance.

As Buck Rogers-like as it might seem, today’s state-of-the-art self-driving cars may eventually give way to self-flying planes.

Who knows, one day flying drone aircraft may even deliver the daily newspaper?

The notion may seem far-fetched today, but the speed at which technology moves gets faster daily.

Natchez might become a burgeoning hub of drone development soon. At the very least our leaders need to recognize the importance of the local airport and keep it top of mind as they budget and explore economic development interests.