The aviation industry itself is a major direct generator of employment and economic activity in airline and airport operations,
aircraft maintenance, air traffic management, head offices and activities directly serving air passengers, such as check-in, baggage handling, on-site retail, cargo and catering facilities. Direct impacts also include the activities of civil aerospace manufacturers selling aircraft and components to airlines and related businesses. The world’s airlines carry over three billion passengers a year and 50 million tones of freight. Providing these services generates 8.7 million direct jobs within the air transport industry and contributes $606 billion to global GDP