LaHood visits Kansas Cessna plant

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited a Kansas aircraft factory Monday to talk up the aviation industry's contributions to the economy.

During an event at a Cessna manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kan., LaHood promised to stand up for the air capital of the world, Wichita TV station KSN reported.

Several major airplane manufacturers are based in Wichita or have large workforces there.

LaHood has touted the economic impact of air travel recently. Last week, he linked a deal to expand Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to the future of the Midwestern economy.

Officials at the Wichita rally told LaHood that building airplanes has a $7 billion impact on the regional economy, KSN reported.

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback (R), formerly a U.S. senator, was among the state officials in attendance.