Global air transport generates $2.7-trillion revenues, 65.5 M jobs
The global air transport sector supports 65.5 million jobs and $2.7 trillion in global economic activity, according to the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) report, Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders.
“Over 10 million women and men industry workers make sure 120,000 flights and 12 million passengers a day are guided safely through their journeys,” says ATAG’s Executive Director, Michael Gill.
“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,” he pointed out. “Aviation is the key driver for this positive connectivity.”
“Airports are crucial links in the air transport value chain that drive economic and social benefits for the local, regional, and national communities they serve,” according to Angela Gittens, Director General of Airports Council International.
Airports act as catalysts for employment, innovation, and improved global connectivity and trade. In responding to the growing global demand for air services, airports – in partnership with the wider aviation community – are also taking a lead role in minimizing and mitigating the environmental effects of aviation and pursuing sustainable development.”
“Providing efficient, safe and costeffective air traffic management is a key enabler to the benefits of aviation,” noted Civil Air Navigation Services Organization Director General Jeff Poole.
CANSO and its members are achieving this through new technologies (e.g. spaced-based surveillance, digitization) and new procedures (e.g. air traffic flow management).
“However, States need to play their part by enabling harmonized airspace and investments in ATM infrastructure,” he added.
“Airlines empower people’s lives and turbo-charge the global economy through a worldwide network that safely carries more than 4 billion passengers and 62 million tons of freight each year,” Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association, underscored.
“In challenging political, economic and environmental times, the ability of aviation – the business of freedom – to sustainably connect cultures and spread prosperity beyond borders has never been more important.”
“All sectors of aviation contribute to the industry’s benefits globally. The business aviation sector employs almost 1.5 million people around the world, contributes hundreds of billions of dollars to the global economy, and provides connections to and economic activity in remote regions and underserved locations,” says Kurt Edwards, Director General of the International Business Aviation Council.
“Business aviation allows businesses to thrive in small or medium-size towns and to stay connected to the rest of the world. Often, business aircraft operations at a remote airstrip serve as the catalyst for economic development in small communities”.
Air travel carries 35% of world trade by value ($6.0 trillion worth in 2017), but less than 1% by volume (62 million tons in 2017).
Airfares today are around 90% lower than the same journey would have cost in 1950 – this has enabled access to air travel by greater sections of the population.
If aviation was a country, it would have the 20th largest economy in the world – around the same size as Switzerland or Argentina.
Aviation jobs are, on average, 4.4 times more productive than other jobs in the economy.
As for the scope of the industry, 1,303 airlines fly 31,717 aircraft on 45,091 routes between 3,759 airports in airspace managed by 170 air navigation service providers. The majority, or 57% of world tourists, travel to their destinations by air.