A new global air transport report is outlining the industry’s trillion dollar value to trade and economics.
The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) study, titled Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders, shows the sector supports 65.5 million jobs and US$2.7 trillion in global economic activity.
Over 10 million people work directly for the industry itself. Air travel carries 35% of world trade by value ($6.0 trillion worth in 2017), but less than 1% by volume (62 million tonnes in 2017).
The scope of the industry includes 1303 airlines, 31,717 aircraft on 45,091 routes between 3759 airports in airspace managed by 170 air navigation service providers.
Airfares today are around 90% lower than the same journey would have cost in 1950 and 57% of world tourists travel to their destinations by air.
ATAG’s executive director Michael Gill says advances in air transport have changed the way people and businesses connect and “the reach we have today is extraordinary”.
“More people in more parts of the world than ever before are taking advantage of safe, fast and efficient travel.
“There are over 10 million women and men working within the industry to make sure 120,000 flights and 12 million passengers a day are guided safely through their journeys.
“The wider supply chain, flow-on impacts and jobs in tourism made possible by air transport show that at least 65.5 million jobs and 3.6% of global economic activity are supported by our industry.”
The report also looks at two future scenarios for growth in air traffic and related jobs and economic benefits. With an open, free-trade approach, the growth in air transport will support some 97.8 million jobs and $5.7 trillion in economic activity in 2036.
However, if governments create a more fragmented world with isolationism and protectionist policies, over 12 million fewer jobs and $1.2 trillion less in economic activity would be supported by air transport.
“By working with one another, learning from each other’s cultures and trading openly, we not only create a stronger economic outlook, but we also continue the conditions for peaceful interaction across the globe. Aviation is the key driver for this positive connectivity,” Gill says.
*Go to aviationbenefits.org to read the full report.
