Air transport provides vital economic benefits
• Aviation provides the only worldwide transportation network, which
makes it essential for global business and tourism. It plays a vital role in facilitating economic growth, particularly in developing countries.
• Aviation transports close to 2 billion† passengers annually and 40%
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 jobs globally (through direct, indirect, induced and catalytic impacts).
• Aviation’s global economic impact (direct, indirect, induced and 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 22,000 aircraft1. They serve some 1,670 airports2 through a route network of several million kilometres managed by around
160 air navigation service providers3.
• 25% of all companies’ sales are dependent on air transport. 70% of businesses report that serving a bigger market is a key benefit of using air services.