Key facts and figures

ATAG is recognised as a credible source of information and hascompiled a wide range of information, data and forecasts:

Air transport provides vital economic benefits

• Aviation provides the only worldwide transportation network,which makes it essential for global business and tourism. It playsa vital role in facilitating economic growth, particularly indeveloping countries.
• Aviation transports close to 2 billion passengers annually and40% of interregional exports of goods (by value).
• 40% of international tourists now travel by air.
• The air transport industry generates a total of 29 million jobsglobally (through direct, indirect, induced and catalyticimpacts).
• Aviation?s global economic impact (direct, indirect, inducedand catalytic) is estimated at US$ 2,960 billion, equivalent to 8%of world Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• The world?s 900 airlines have a total fleet of nearly 22,000aircraft. They serve some 1,670 airports through a route network ofseveral million kilometres managed by around 160 air navigationservice providers.
• 25% of all companies? sales are dependent on air transport. 70%of businesses report that serving a bigger market is a key benefitof using air services.

Air transport is a major employer

The air transport industry generates a total of 29million jobs globally.

• 5.0 million direct jobs: The airline andairport industry directly employ 4.3 million people globally. Thecivil aerospace sector (manufacturer of aircraft systems, framesand engines, etc.) employs 730,000 people.
• 5.8 million indirect jobs through purchases ofgoods and services from companies in its supply chain.
• 2.7 million induced jobs through spending byindustry employees.
• 15.5 million direct and indirect jobs throughair transport's catalytic impact on tourism. Some 6.7 milliondirect tourism jobs are supported by the spending of internationalvisitors arriving by air.

As a capital-intensive business, productivity per worker in theair transport industry is very high, at three and a half times theaverage for other sectors.

Air transport is responsibly reducing its environmentalimpact

Like any other economic activity, air transport has an effect onthe environment. This has created concern that the industry'senvironmental impact is increasing in proportion to its growth.This is not the case. Efficiency is the key to minimisingenvironmental impact. By continually improving its fuelconsumption, reducing waste and introducing new, more sustainabletechnologies, air transport has been able to reduce or contain itsenvironmental impact.

• Aircraft entering today's fleets are 20 decibels (dB) quieterthan comparable aircraft 40 years ago. This corresponds to areduction in noise annoyance of 75%.
• A further 50% reduction in noise during take-off and landing(minus 10dB) is expected by 2020.
• Aircraft entering today's fleets are 70% more fuel-efficientthan they were 40 years ago. Carbon monoxide emissions have beensimultaneously reduced by 50%, while unburned hydrocarbon and smokehave been cut by 90%.
• Research programmes aim to achieve a further 50% fuel savingand an 80% reduction in oxides of nitrogen by 2020.
• Enhancements in air traffic management have the potential toreduce fuel burn by 6-12%, while operational improvements can bringan additional 2-6% fuel saving.
• Per passenger kilometre, air transport uses less than 1% of theland dedicated to transport in the European Union.

Air transport is a highly efficient user of resources andinfrastructure

• Modern aircraft achieve fuel efficiencies of 3.5 litres per 100passenger-km or 67 passenger-miles per gallon. The next generationaircraft (A380 and B787) are targeting an efficiency of less than 3litres per 100 passenger-miles per gallon, which exceeds theefficiency of any modern compact car on the market.
• Aviation boasts high occupancy rates of 65 to 70% ? which ismore than double those of road and rail transportation.
• Air transport entirely covers its infrastructure costs. Unlikeroad and rail, it is a net contributor to national treasuriesthrough taxation.

Air transport provides significant social benefits

• Air transport improves quality of life by broadening people?sleisure and cultural experiences. It provides a wide choice ofholiday destinations around the world and an affordable means tovisit distant friends and relatives.
• Air transport helps to improve living standards and alleviatepoverty, for instance, through tourism.
• Air transport may provide the only transportation means inremote areas, thus promoting social inclusion.
• Air transport contributes to sustainable development. Byfacilitating tourism and trade, it generates economic growth,provides jobs, increases revenues from taxes, and fosters theconservation of protected areas.
• The air transport network facilitates the delivery of emergencyand humanitarian aid relief anywhere on earth, and ensures theswift delivery of medical supplies and organs fortransportation.

Download ATAG?s brochure on the ?Social and economic benefits of air transport?.