AVIATION BENEFITS

2017

civil air navigation services organisation

The Industry High Level Group (IHLG) was established in
September 2013. It is an initiative of the International Civil Aviation
Organization (ICAO) Secretary General, bringing together the Heads
of four industry organizations: the Airports Council International (ACI),
the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the
International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International
Coordinating Council of Aerospace Industries Associations (ICCAIA).
The IHLG is an informal group, which considers matters of global
significance to international civil aviation that can be better addressed
in a collaborative arrangement between States and the industry
rather than working individually on such matters.

This report makes use of material by ACI, CANSO, IATA, ICAO and
ICCAIA, as well as the publication of the Air Transport Action Group
(ATAG) entitled Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders (ABBB). While
every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of
information in this report, it is made available without any warranty of
any kind.
Aviation
Benefits
2017

civil air navigation services organisation

Ta b l e
of 7 Foreword
8 Executive Summary
Contents 13 Aviation Overview: From Past to Present
14 Exponential Growth of Air Traffic
15 Air Travel Affordability
15 Air Connectivity
16 Regulatory Framework
19 Value of Aviation: Economic Benefits
20 Direct Impacts
21 Indirect Impacts
21 Induced Impacts
21 Aviation Supports Tourism
23 A Driver of Global Trade and E-commerce
25 Regional Economic Impact of Aviation
29 Value of Aviation: Social Benefits
30 Safely Connecting People and Businesses
30 Health and Humanitarian Aid
30 Educational Opportunities
31 Improving Quality of Life
33 Sustainable Air Transport Solutions
37 Modernizing Aviation to Maximize its Benefits
39 Funding, Financing and Investment
40 Airport Development and Expansion
40 Integrated Transport Planning
41 Optimizing Air Traffic Management
42 Engine of Growth: Innovation and Exploration
45 Leading Aviation for a Better Future
49 Appendix: Regional Summary
50 Africa
52 Asia and Pacific
54 Europe
56 Latin America and the Caribbean
58 Middle East
60 North America
62 LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
64 References
Foreword

Commercial aviation first took flight over a century ago. The very first commercial aircraft
embarked on just a short, 34-kilometre journey, but today the sector has grown remarkably,
with passengers and cargo being carried no less than 49 billion kilometres annually, or 10
times the distance from Earth to Neptune.
With over 1,400 scheduled airlines, 26,000 aircraft in service, 3,900 airports and 173 air
navigation services providers1, aviation has established an unmatched global network at
the service of travellers and businesses in every corner of the world. It is also the safest and
fastest means of transportation available; overcoming oceans and borders to connect
people and support sustainable economic growth wherever aircraft fly.
A strong and affordable global air transport network transcends continents, greatly
expands local access to foreign supplies and markets, provides invaluable opportunities for
cultural and social exchange and enhances emergency and humanitarian response
capabilities during crises and public health emergencies.
Current forecasts indicate that air traffic volumes will double by 2032, characterized by a
4.6 per cent annual growth rate for passenger traffic and 4.4 per cent for freight traffic2. By
spurring tourism and trade as it continues to grow, aviation contributes to increasing
consumer benefits and choices, creating jobs and generating numerous socio-spin-offs.
The increased connectivity that it delivers leads to further re-investment in aviation, creating
a healthy cycle of aviation development and economic prosperity in those countries and
regions which set out suitable planning and investment commitments.
This very healthy dynamic of investment and economic development has helped aviation to
become a truly global economic force. If it were a country, its gross domestic product (GDP)
would be similar to that of Switzerland's at around USD 660 billion (with the total economic
impact of USD 2.7 trillion), and the 62.7 million jobs it supports directly and indirectly is
comparable to the United Kingdom's current population3.
The challenge going forward is to ensure that future air traffic growth is managed safely,
securely and efficiently, with due respect for our sector's concrete environmental
commitments. By doing so, we realize sustainable air transport solutions, ensuring that
aviation and its many benefits leaves no one, and no country, behind.

Angela Gittens Jeff Poole

Director General Director General
Airports Council International Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation

Alexandre de Juniac Fang Liu

Director General & CEO Secretary General
International Air Transport Association International Civil Aviation Organization

Jan Pie
Chairman
International Coordinating Council
of Aerospace Industries Associations

AVIATION BENEFITS 7
 Executive
Summary

A viation is one of the most “global” industries:

connecting people, cultures and businesses across
continents. Colleagues throughout the sector are
View of the Global Aviation
Industry
committed to raising awareness of the benefits and the role
of aviation. The IHLG organizations have collaborated to Aviation has continued to expand. It has weathered crises
provide a comprehensive view of the importance of aviation and demonstrated long-term resilience, becoming an
on supporting the global economy and generating social indispensable means of transport. Historically, air transport
benefits through the prism of sustainable air transport has doubled in size every fifteen years and has grown faster
solutions. It is necessary for all stakeholders and partners than most other industries. In 2016, airlines worldwide
to work together to maximize the benefits of air transport, carried around 3.8 billion passengers annually with 7.1
and to support the sustainable growth of aviation by trillion revenue passenger kilometres (RPKs). Fifty-three
connecting more people and more places, more often. million tonnes of freight were transported by air, reaching
205 billion freight tonne kilometres (FTKs). Every day,
more than 100,000 flights transport over 10 million
passengers and around USD 18 billion worth of goods4.

3.8 BILLION 53 MILLION 35 MILLION

PASSENGERS TONNES OF FREIGHT SCHEDULED
carried by airlines carried by airlines COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS
(6.8% increase (4.0% increase flown by airlines
from 2015) from 2015) (3.7% increase
from 2015)

54,000 49 BILLION 76 BILLION

ROUTES WORLDWIDE KILOMETRES FLOWN HOURS FLOWN
(over 2,000 new by airlines by airlines
routes from 2015) (5.3% increase (5.0% increase
from 2015) from 2015)

8 AVIATION BENEFITS
Aviation Is a Major Contributor The air transport industry also supported a total of 62.7
million jobs globally. It provided 9.9 million direct jobs.
to Global Economic Prosperity Airlines, air navigation service providers and airports
directly employed over three million people. The civil
Aviation provides the only rapid worldwide transportation aerospace sector (the manufacture of aircraft, systems and
network, which makes it essential for global business. It engines) employed 1.1 million people. A further 5.5 million
generates economic growth, creates jobs, and facilitates worked in other on-airport positions. 52.8 million indirect,
international trade and tourism. induced and tourism-related jobs were supported by
aviation6.
According to recent estimates by the cross-industry Air
Transport Action Group (ATAG), the total economic impact These estimates do not include other economic benefits of
(direct, indirect, induced and tourism-connected) of the aviation, such as the jobs or economic activity that occur
global aviation industry reached USD 2.7 trillion, some when companies or industries exist because air travel
3.5 per cent of world’s gross domestic product makes them possible, the intrinsic value that the speed and
(GDP) in 20145. connectivity of air travel provides, or domestic tourism and
trade. Including these would increase the employment and
global economic impact numbers several-fold.

62.7 MILLION 3.5 PER CENT $2.7 TRILLION

JOBS SUPPORTED OF GDP SUPPORTED ECONOMIC IMPACT

AVIATION BENEFITS 9
One of the industries that relies most heavily on aviation is
tourism. By facilitating tourism, air transport helps
SAFELY
generate economic growth and alleviate poverty. Currently, HEALTH AND
CONNECTING
approximately 1.2 billion tourists are crossing borders HUMANITARIAN
every year, over half of whom travelled to their destinations PEOPLE AND
AID
by air. In 2014, aviation supported over 36 million jobs BUSINESS
within the tourism sector, contributing roughly USD 892
billion a year to global GDP7.
Air transport is a driver of global trade and e-commerce,
allowing globalization of production. The small volumes of
air cargo amount to big values in world trade. In 2014, USD IMPROVING
EDUCATIONAL
6.4 trillion worth of goods were transported internationally QUALITY
OPPORTUNITIES
by air, representing 35 per cent of world trade by value, OF LIFE
despite representing only 0.5 per cent by volume8.
Aviation’s advantage over other modes of transport in
terms of speed and reliability has contributed to the market
for “same-day” and “next-day” delivery services and
transportation of urgent or time-sensitive goods. Supporting Sustainable
Some 87 per cent of business-to-consumer (B2C)
e-commerce parcels are currently carried by air. The
Development Goals
e-commerce share of scheduled international mail tonne
The United Nations (UN) adopted the Transforming our
kilometres (MTKs) grew from 16 per cent to 74 per cent
World: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in
between 2010 and 2015 and is estimated to grow to 91 per
2015. This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and
cent by 20259.
prosperity and seeks to strengthen universal peace in
larger freedom. The world should aim to achieve the 17
Aviation Provides Significant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets
by 2030. Aviation contributes to achieving many of the
Social Benefits SDGs directly and indirectly.

Attainment of the SDGs relies on advances in sustainable

The availability of reliable air transport services provides
air transport, which is a driver of sustainable development.
people with access to what they need: decent livelihoods,
In accordance with the recommendation made by
food, healthcare, education, safe communities and
the UN Secretary-General's High-level Advisory Group on
spaces, etc. Aviation is by far the world’s safest and most
Sustainable Transport, all stakeholders must make a
efficient mode of long-range mass transportation. It
genuine commitment to transforming the transport system
provides the only possible means of transportation to
in terms of individual travel and freight into one that is “safe,
provide health care to many remote communities, and it is
affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient while
a fast and reliable way to deliver urgent humanitarian aid
minimizing carbon and other emissions and environ-
during emergencies caused by natural disasters, famine
mental impacts”.
and war.
Furthermore, educational opportunities are made available
to students around the world, especially for those students Sustaining the Future of
from developing countries who must travel abroad for
higher quality education. Aviation also contributes to Aviation
improving quality of life by broadening travellers’ leisure and
cultural experiences. It provides an affordable means to By 2034, both air passenger traffic and air freight traffic are
visit distant friends and relatives, and fosters awareness of expected to more than double, compared to 2016.
other cultures. Passenger traffic is expected to reach over 14 trillion RPKs
with a growth of 4.5 per cent per annum, and freight will
expand by 4.2 per cent annually over the same time period,
to 466 billion FTKs10.

10 AVIATION BENEFITS
 Total passenger traffic: history and forecast

This growth holds tremendous economic potential which jobs) and the contribution of the air transport sector to
will support all States in achieving the UN's 2030 Agenda world GDP would drop by some 12 per cent (USD 690
for Sustainable Development. In 2034, aviation will provide billion12 ).
99 million jobs and generate USD 5.9 trillion in GDP, a 122
per cent increase from 201411. To encourage this projected growth in a sustainable
manner and produce inclusive and productive develop-
The future growth of air transport will likely depend on ment and employment, aviation must continue to develop
sustainable world economic and trade growth, as well as coherent policies with tourism, trade and other transport
declining airline costs and ticket prices. Other factors, sectors. A national or regional policy framework consistent
including regulatory regimes (such as liberalization of air with ICAO's standards and policies, and with globally
transport), technological improvements and fuel costs will accepted good regulatory practices, can unlock the full
also impact future growth. value of aviation. New technologies and procedures should
If traffic growth were to slow by just 1 per cent annually, the also be adopted to further improve connectivity and
total number of jobs supported by the air transport sector modernize infrastructure while minimizing any possible
would diminish by over 10 per cent (more than 10 million adverse impacts of this growth on the environment.

AVIATION BENEFITS 11
Aviation
Overview:
From Past
to Present
Exponential Growth of Air Traffic
From a long-term historical perspective, air transport has In 2016, airlines worldwide carried around 3.8 billion
doubled in size every fifteen years and has experienced passengers annually, logging 7.1 trillion revenue
greater growth than most other industries. Since 1960, passenger-kilometres (RPKs). Fifty-three million tonnes of
increasing demand for passenger and freight services, freight were transported by air, reaching 205 billion freight
technological progress and associated investment have tonne-kilometres (FTKs). Every day, aviation moves over 10
combined to multiply the output of the aviation industry by a million passengers and around USD 18 billion worth of
factor of more than 30. This expansion of air transport goods on more than 100,000 flights13.
compares favourably with the broadest available measure
Asia/Pacific remained the largest region of activity with 33
of world output (global GDP), which, when measured in real
per cent of world traffic, followed by Europe and North
terms, has multiplied by more than five times over the same
America with 27 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively. The
period.
Middle East region represented 9 per cent of world traffic.
It is no mystery why air traffic growth has so consistently The Latin America and Caribbean region accounted for 5
defied recessionary cycles. The air transport sector per cent while the remaining 2 per cent of world traffic was
resisted these recessions precisely because it served as undertaken by African airlines14.
one of the most effective tools for ending them – an
important consideration for governments at every level in a
challenging economic environment.

Source: ICAO Annual Report of the Council

14 AVIATION BENEFITS
Air Travel Affordability
A key driver in the growth of passenger traffic has been the
steady decrease in the real cost of air travel — over A family trip from Milan to Paris in 1992 would have
60 per cent reduction since 197015. This decrease in cost cost 25 times more than in 2017 - the minimum price
has led to an increase in accessibility of air travel — for a ticket on this route has dropped from over € 400
democratization (from a pursuit reserved for the wealthy to to about € 15 today.
a part of normal middle-class lives). Air travel is no longer a
luxury commodity. It is becoming increasingly accessible in Source: EU Aviation: 25 years of reaching new heights
the developing world, with various low-cost travel options
available to more and more people.

Source: IATA Economics

The aviation industry has undergone a structural Air Connectivity

transformation and has adjusted to a dynamic marketplace
by consolidating and expanding in new markets. The The air transport network is dynamic and constantly
evolution of low-cost carriers (LCCs), particularly since the developing. It is composed of over 1,400 scheduled
beginning of the 21st century, is notable in emerging airlines, over 26,000 aircraft in service, 3,900 airports and
economies, making air travel more affordable. In 2016, 173 air navigation services providers17. It is truly a global
LCCs carried an estimated 1.1 billion passengers, which industry connecting all parts of the world seamlessly.
was approximately 29 per cent of the world total scheduled
passengers. This indicated a 10.5 per cent growth when
compared to the number of passengers carried by LCCs in
2015, one and a half times the rate of the world total
average passenger growth16.

AVIATION BENEFITS 15
 Source: ICAO

Aviation is a customer-focused economic sector. While the aviation system, but

there is no single definition of air connectivity, it can be also efficient business
viewed as the ability of a network to move passengers, operations in a market
cargo and mail involving the minimum of transit points, economy. A national or
which makes the trip as short as possible with optimal user regional policy framework
satisfaction at the minimum price possible18. consistent with ICAO's
SARPS and policies, and
Improved air connectivity is at the heart of social and
with globally accepted good
economic development. Many States have come to
regulatory practices20, can
understand the vital role of air connectivity for their
unlock the full value of
economies and they include aviation projects as a priority in
aviation.
their development strategies.
For the past seven decades,
the operation of international
Regulatory Framework air transport services has
also been governed by over
The continuous growth of air traffic and enhanced air 5,000 bilateral air services Preamble
connectivity can only be sustained with a globally agreements signed bet- “… the future development
harmonized regulatory framework. Modern aviation was ween States, which regulate of international civil aviation
founded upon the Convention on International Civil Aviation airlines' destinations, routes, can greatly help to create
(Chicago Convention, 1944)19, which set forth the core and preserve friendship and
capacity and frequency,
understanding among the
principles permitting international transport by air and led to fares and rates, in addition nations and peoples of the
the creation of the International Civil Aviation Organization to other operational matters. world…”
(ICAO). The mandate of ICAO, then (as it is today) was to
help States to achieve the highest possible degree of Overly complex bilateral
uniformity in civil aviation standards, policies and frameworks have, how-
procedures. ever, added significantly to
the cost of doing business, limited choice and competition,
Now, ICAO manages over 12,000 global Standards and and created impediments to the continued growth of air
Recommended Practices (SARPs) across the 19 Annexes to traffic. Since the early 1990s, in response to demands by
the Chicago Convention. National regulation that follows the aviation industry to reduce regulatory barriers, States
these global standards ensures not only safety and security of began to negotiate more liberal bilateral and multilateral

16 AVIATION BENEFITS
agreements, including “open skies” agreements, to allow continuous liberalization of international air transport to the
the industry to do business in a more favourable operating benefit of all stakeholders and the economy at large. We will
environment and expand into new markets. be guided by the need to ensure respect for the highest
levels of safety and security and the principle of fair and
In 2015, ICAO adopted the long-term vision for interna-
equal opportunity for all States and their stakeholders 21.”
tional air transport liberalization, which states that “We, the
Member States of the ICAO, resolve to actively pursue the

Is Aviation Special?
Aviation may be considered as “special” due to safety and security requirements and possibly the existence of
environmental externalities. According to various economic studies, however, there is little or no evidence that
aviation has unique economic characteristics, compared to other modes of transport and service industries.
Nevertheless, more than a majority of bilateral air services agreements still include the 70-year-old traditional
provisions partially because there is a significant cost in each State to change the well-established regulatory
framework.
The key to addressing the dynamic and rapid transformations shaping the aviation sector is the establishment and
application of good regulatory practices and, more broadly, good governance – the institutional, regulatory, and
policy frameworks in which air transport is designed, implemented and managed. For example, States should
comply with ICAO’s global standards and policies; adhere to international air law instruments; separate their
oversight functions from the operations of airports and air navigation services; enhance the transparency of relevant
States’ policies and practices; take a data-driven approach, including an assessment of the impacts and results of
the regulation, etc.

AVIATION BENEFITS 17
Value of
Aviation:
Economic
Benefits
T he growing availability of affordable air transport has considerably widened
aviation's role in the modern global economy. Generating wealth and
employment from aviation is supported through its own activities and supply chains
The contribution of aviation
to the global economy is
approximately equivalent
(direct and indirect) and is an enabler of other industries (induced and tourism-
to the overall GDP of the
catalytic).
United Kingdom.
The total economic impact of the aviation industry is some 3.5 per cent of the
world's GDP, USD 2.7 trillion, which supports 62.7 million jobs worldwide 22.

23
Aviation's global employment and GDP impact, 2014

Direct Impacts
The aviation industry itself is a source of considerable Aviation is also one of the most efficient sectors measured
economic activity, creating jobs that directly serve in terms of GDP per worker. At USD 65 per worker per year,
passengers at airlines, airports and air navigation services this is around three and a half times the average across the
providers. These include check-in, baggage handling, on- world economy as a whole, exceeding most other sectors
site retail, cargo and catering facilities. Moreover, aviation of the economy. Air transport employees are considered to
directly enables jobs in the manufacturing sector (those be highly skilled, trained and experienced.
companies that produce aircraft, engines and other vital
technologies).
In order to transport 3.8 billion passengers to destinations
all over the globe and carry 53 million tonnes of freight, the
aviation industry generated 9.9 million direct jobs and
added USD 664.4 billion to world GDP (0.87%) 24. This is
about 70 per cent of the size of the automotive industry,
which accounts for 1.2 per cent of global GDP 25.

20 AVIATION BENEFITS
Indirect Impacts Induced Impacts
The economic benefits of aviation extend much further The spending of those directly or indirectly employed in the
than the industry’s direct impacts. The indirect impacts aviation sector supports additional jobs in other sectors
include employment and economic activity generated by such as retail outlets, companies producing consumer
suppliers to the aviation industry: aviation fuel suppliers; goods and a range of service industries (for example,
construction companies that build airport facilities; banks, telecommunication providers and restaurants).
suppliers of sub-components used in aircraft; manu- Worldwide, over five million induced jobs are supported
facturers of goods sold in airport retail outlets; and a wide globally through employees in the aviation industry
variety of activities in the business services sector (such as (whether direct or indirect) using their income to purchase
call centres, information technology and accountancy). goods and services for their own consumption.
Over 11 million indirect jobs are supported globally through Furthermore, aviation's impact on other industries im-
the purchase of goods and services by companies in the proves the efficiencies in a wide spectrum of economic
aviation industry. These indirect jobs contributed activities, for example: offers just-in-time delivery systems
approximately USD 761 billion to global economic activity in the supply chains; enables international investments into
in 2014 26. and out of countries and regions; and supports innovations
by encouraging effective networking and collaboration
between organizations located in different parts of the
globe. Good air transport links influence where companies
choose to invest. According to a survey, 56 per cent of
Shared Value - Nuestra Huerta companies consider international transport links to be an
essential factor in where to locate a business in Europe 27.
“Nuestra Huerta” (Our Garden) is a programme
initiated by Mariscal Sucre International Airport,
Quito, Ecuador, which aims to integrate the area's
small agricultural producers in a chain of virtual
Aviation Supports Tourism
community commercialization. Currently, 16 pro- Air transport activities
ducers and their families, residing in parishes around affect multiple sect-
the airport, are participating in Our Garden. Four ors of the economy,
hundred airport employees consume 36 local especially tourism. The
products of Our Garden, including fruits, dairy connectivity brought
products, vegetables, bread, desserts, cooked by air transport is at
grains, and prepared food. In 2016, Our Garden the heart of tourism
generated 1,069 transactions, a 45 per cent development, provid-
increase from 2015. ing substantial econ-
The programme involves training for producers in omic benefits for all
areas such as sound agricultural and manufac-turing those involved in the tourism value chain. Currently,
practices, industrial safety, social responsibility, approximately 1.2 billion tourists are crossing borders
entrepreneurship and innovation, accounting every year, over half of whom arrived at their destinations
management, and customer service. With the by air 28.
technical and financial advice of the Inter-American In 2016, tourism supported a total of 292.2 million direct,
Development Bank, the airport has started to turn indirect and induced jobs globally and made up 10.2 per
Our Garden into a shared value programme. The cent of world GDP, a total of USD 7.6 trillion29. Through a
implementation phase is underway. synergetic relationship, aviation supports over 36 million
Source: Annual Report, 2016, Quiport jobs within the tourism sector, contributing roughly USD
892 billion a year to global GDP. Tourism-related GDP is
projected to grow 4.0 per cent annually over the next
decade, compared to 2.7 per cent growth of global GDP 30.

AVIATION BENEFITS 21
Spending by international tourists is classified as visitor Projected growth in tourism
exports and accounted for over 5 per cent of world trade 31. facilitated by aviation, contribution
Tourism in many countries is a main source of foreign to global GDP, 2014-2025 34
exchange earnings. Particularly for Least Developed
Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries
(LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS),
tourism is often one of the few activities, for which their
location, coupled with exceptional natural and cultural
resources, is a strong competitive advantage. Part of
foreign exchange earnings do trickle down to different
groups of a given society. If tourism is managed with a
strong focus on poverty alleviation, it can have a positive
impact on reducing poverty levels through employment of
local people in tourism enterprises, goods and services
provided to tourists, or the running of small and
community-based enterprises, etc.32 The graduation of
Cabo Verde (2007), Maldives (2011) and Samoa (2014)
from LDC status was driven by the strong growth and
performance of tourism33.

Aviation Satellite Account

The System of National Accounts (SNA 2008) is the internationally agreed standard set of recommendations on how
to compile measures of economic activity in accordance with strict accounting conventions based on economic
principles. The SNA describes a set of concepts, definitions, classifications and accounting rules that comprise the
standard for measuring such items as GDP.
A great strength of the SNA is that its articulation is sufficiently robust that a great deal of flexibility can be applied in its
implementation while still remaining integrated, economically complete and internally consistent. One of the
extensive forms of flexibility is a satellite account, which can be used to capture the relative contribution of certain new
economic subjects, themes, or sectors of the economy. These new activities are not observable in the traditional SNA
because they do not correspond to a specific statistically delineated economic activity. Common examples are
satellite accounts for tourism, culture, sports, environment, and unpaid household work.
As there is no existing standard framework to measure the economic size of civil aviation activities within the SNA,
ICAO initiated a strategic project to develop an Aviation Satellite Account (ASA). The ASA will enable the generation of
macroeconomic data (such as aviation direct GDP, aviation direct gross value added, aviation consumption, and
production accounts of the aviation industries) that is comparable with other economic statistics.
The ASA methodological framework will help States: a) increase and improve understanding of aviation’s importance
relative to the overall national economy; b) highlight inter-dependencies of the civil aviation sector with other sectors
to sustain expected growth of economic activities such as tourism (and trade) as an export industry to the national
economy; c) design and implement policies to facilitate connectivity as well as investments into aviation, thus
promoting the full economic and job creation potential offered by this activity; and d) foster public awareness and
develop education programmes to inform and engage people about the imperative of air connectivity, as well as
about the importance and benefits of sustainable air transport development.
ICAO plans to submit the ASA framework document to the UN Statistical Commission for its review and
endorsement in 2019.
Source: ICAO and the System of National Accounts 2008

22 AVIATION BENEFITS
Business tourism, specifically meetings, incentives, transportation. Air cargo ser- Air freight, as a propor-
conferences and exhibitions (MICE) activity, relies signifi- vice routes are regarded as tion of global trade, by
cantly on the availability of air travel and can generate a regional lifelines for these areas. volume and by value,
bigger economic impact because business travellers 2014
Although the demand for air
spend more, at least per day, than leisure visitors do. In
freight is limited by cost, which is
addition to the expected benefits in the hotel, restaurant,
typically 4 to 5 times that of road
and retail sectors, tourism also fosters growth in industries
transport and 12 to 16 times
as varied as agriculture, business services, construction,
that of sea transport 35 , the
and real estate.
commodities shipped by air are
those that have high value per
unit density. Air freight consti-
Air Connectivity Supports tutes 34.6 per cent of world
Caribbean Tourism trade by value, and total value of
transported goods of USD 6.4
The Caribbean region is heavily reliant on tourism for
trillion, despite representing only
its economic health. In many markets such as Cuba,
0.5 per cent by volume36. In
Guyana, Martinique (France), Saint Lucia, Trinidad
2016, air freight carried on
and Tobago, and Dominican Republic, over 90 per
scheduled services grew to 34
cent of tourists arrive by air. Although for some, such
million tonnes internationally and
as Bahamas and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the share of
53 million tonnes overall 37, in line
arrivals by air is much lower (around 20 per cent),
with improving economic pros-
this can be explained by the importance of the cruise
p e c t s , g re a t e r i n d u s t r i a l
industry and limited direct international air
production, and more confident
connectivity. In 2014, aviation supported USD 27
consumers.
billion in tourist spending across the region, of which
USD 24.3 billion was leisure tourism and USD 2.7
billion was business tourism. This amount would be
sufficient to cover public spending on healthcare
and education in the entire region. Flowers from Small Growers
Source: A Blueprint for Maximizing the Social and Economic
Value of Aviation, 2016, IATA
Around the World - Kenya
In Kenya, over 100,000 jobs (and 500,000 livelihoods)
depend on the cut flower industry, which supports 1.6
per cent of the national economy, generating around
A Driver of Global Trade and USD 1 billion in foreign exchange each year.
Horticulture is Kenya’s fastest growing sector and is
E-commerce ranked third after tourism and tea as a foreign
exchange earner. Over 90 per cent of fresh
As a trade facilitator, aviation increases the global reach of
horticultural products are transported by air freight.
businesses, enabling them to get products to market in a
An estimated 70 per cent of the flowers are grown at
more convenient and quicker way. It allows businesses to
the rim of Lake Naivasha, northwest of Nairobi. There
be more responsive to the needs of customers and
are good road network connections between the
improves communication between buyers and sellers,
Lake Naivasha growing area and Nairobi’s Jomo
including just-in-time inventory management and build-to-
Kenyatta International Airport, a distance of about 80-
order production.
100 kilometres. Flowers picked in the morning reach
Lower transport costs and improved connectivity have markets in Amsterdam by evening.
boosted trade flows by globalizing supply chains and Source: Kenya Flower Council website and Air Freight: A
associated investments. The availability of air transport Market Study with Implications for Landlocked Countries,
allows especially LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to overcome 2009, The World Bank
infrequent boat services or poor infrastructure for ground

AVIATION BENEFITS 23
Aviation’s speed and reliability has contributed to the
market for “same-day” and “next-day” delivery services In 2016, air freight carried 53 million tonnes of goods
and transportation of urgent or time-sensitive goods, giving worth USD 6.4 trillion – almost twice the total GDP of
it an advantage over other modes of transport. High value Germany!
electrical components and perishable products such as Source: United Nations Statistics Division – December 2016
food and flowers, are transported all over the world through
the efforts of cargo integrators, providing steady
employment and economic growth to regions benefiting to the formal sector and from domestic to international
from such trade. markets.
Driven by advances in internet business, electronic Some 87 per cent of B2C (business-to-consumer) e-
commerce (e-commerce) is increasingly influencing the commerce parcels are currently carried by air. The e-
way enterprises interact among themselves, and with commerce share of scheduled international mail tonne
consumers and governments 38. It can be a catalyst for the kilometres (MTKs) grew from 16 per cent to 74 per cent
transition of trade transactions involving micro, small between 2010 and 2015 and is estimated to grow to 91 per
and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) from the informal cent by 2025 39.

24 AVIATION BENEFITS
Regional
Economic
Impact of
Aviation
 Regional Economic Impact of Aviation 40

AFRICA
Of all global regions, the African aviation market is probably
the one with the most potential for growth. This is because
of its emerging industrial sector and its potential in servicing
a large and developing population. The economic activity of
the continent is improving but is still catching up to other
regions of the world.
Air transport supports 6.8 million jobs and USD 72.5
billion in GDP in Africa.

ASIA AND PACIFIC

The aviation industry in the Asia and Pacific region has, in
recent decades, become a success story with an
impressive level of growth. Political commitments made to
the liberalization of air services have helped to increase
regional and domestic connectivity and enhance intra-
regional trade.
Air transport supports 28.8 million jobs and USD 626
billion in GDP in Asia and Pacific.

EUROPE
Europe has one of the most liberalized and integrated
markets in the world. The single aviation market created by
the European Union (EU) was subsequently expanded to
the European Common Aviation Area (ECAA). Over 40 per
cent of seats are offered by LCCs, which is the highest
among all regions.
Air transport supports 11.9 million jobs and USD 860
billion in GDP in Europe.

26 AVIATION BENEFITS
LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
Latin America and the Caribbean aviation sector has been
growing in recent years, with expansion expected to
continue over the next two decades. However, infrastruc-
ture deficiencies and higher taxes on the sale or use of air
transport are constraints to creating jobs and generating
economic benefits.
Air transport supports 5.2 million jobs and USD 167
billion in GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean.

MIDDLE EAST
The Middle East region continues to strengthen its hub
position, connecting the European and Asia-Pacific
markets in line with the west to east shift of the geograph-
ical centre of gravity of air transport operations. The region
now ranks third in international passenger traffic, having
overtaken North America since 2012.
Air transport supports 2.4 million jobs and USD 157.2
billion in GDP in the Middle East.

NORTH AMERICA
North America is, along with Europe, a very mature,
consolidated and liberalized market in need of new
technology implementation to improve efficiency in aircraft
operations. Much of the growth of the region can be
attributed to the status of North America as a manufac-
turing powerhouse.
Air transport supports 7.6 million jobs and USD 791
billion in GDP in North America.

AVIATION BENEFITS 27
Value of
Aviation:
Social
Benefits
A viation creates unique possibilities for empowering
nations and peoples, regardless of their geographic
location. It is a means of allowing people to access what they
In addition, aviation supports the provision of humanitarian
aid to areas facing natural disasters, famine and war –
through cargo deliveries, refugee transfers or the evacuation
need: improved livelihoods, food, healthcare, education, of people. Natural disasters often cut off whole comm-
safe communities and spaces, etc. Whether it be responses unities. Humanitarian assistance in such circumstances can
to crises in hours of dire need, humanitarian aid, or leisure only reach those in need through the use of airports and air
activities like vacations and visiting friends and relatives, services. In 2015, the World Food Programme (WFP)
aviation plays a vital role in promoting social causes and delivered 62,500 tonnes of food and commodities by air to
satisfying needs around the world. For all vulnerable groups, relieve victims of floods, conflict and disease 43.
as well as for migrant communities and people living in
remote and low density rural areas, air transport services are
a lifeline to enhance their social inclusion 41. Air Ambulances
Safely Connecting People and People living in rural and remote areas may face
Businesses is of paramount imp- particular challenges. Sourcing food and socialization
SAFELY
ortance in the operation of approxi- can be difficult, and one of the biggest obstacles that
CONNECTING
mately 100,000 daily flights. Today, has to be overcome is healthcare.
PEOPLE AND aviation is by far the world’s safest
BUSINESS One example of this is in Norway, where residents of
and most efficient mode of long-
rural towns benefit from Air Ambulance Services, a
range mass transportation.
programme put in place in 1988 to provide prompt and
Over the last ten years, the world’s commercial aviation easy access to healthcare. With a budget of around
industry has improved overall safety performance by 54 per 800 million Norwegian kroner (USD 91 million) and
cent, with an accident rate of 1.61 accidents per million 20,000 patients helped annually, this service allows
sectors in 2016, compared to 3.53 in 200742. The safety remote areas in Norway to maintain their population
levels that global air transport enjoys today represent an and assure the urgent care of their medical needs.
achievement built on the determination and efforts of the Source: luftambulansetjenesten
entire aviation community.
Aviation provides the only possible
transportation means for certain
HEALTH AND Health and Humanitarian Aid. A Ensuring inclusive and equitable
HUMANITARIAN prime example of how aviation Educational Opportunities and
contributes to public health is the
AID EDUCATIONAL promoting lifelong learning are funda-
rapid delivery of medical supplies
and organs for transplantation
OPPORTUNITIES mental needs in a society. The
number of students who chose to
worldwide. Not only are these vital study abroad increased from 2.1
medical supplies time-sensitive, making other modes of million in 2000 to 4.6 million in 2015,
transport unviable over long distances, but their indicating a new generation of mobile
destinations are often remote areas where other transport young people eager to learn and expand their horizons 44.
modes are limited. The
role of aviation is also For many, access to higher quality education necessitates
critical in pandemic re- In 2012, UPS transported travelling abroad, sometimes to another region of the globe.
sponse. When a viral over 375,000 influenza Without air transport, these opportunities would not be
outbreak occurs in one vaccines in prefilled syringes feasible, particularly for shorter-term university exchange
part of the world, the air from the United States to programmes such as the European Erasmus system. For
transport sector can Lao People’s Democratic students from developing countries, the opportunity to
work quickly with gov- Republic, maintaining a travel to established universities for higher education is
ernments and inter- temperature of 2°C to 8°C. invaluable. Not only does this promote individual personal
national organizations to Source: UPS, The logistics of development, but it also delivers consequential benefits for
ensure that it does not saving lives the home country, since these students return home armed
travel further.

30 AVIATION BENEFITS
with the knowledge and skills to contribute to their home Aviation contributes to Improv-
economy 45. IMPROVING ing Quality of Life by broadening
The aviation industry itself also champions quality education QUALITY people’s leisure and cultural exper-
for its own employees in areas such as engineering, air traffic OF LIFE iences. It provides an affordable
management and pilot training. The manufacturing sector, means to visit distant friends and
in particular, is working hard to promote education in relatives. Low-cost and more
science, technology, engineering and mathematics. ICAO frequent access to air travel has
launched the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals increased the range of potential holiday destinations.
(NGAP) initiative to ensure that adequate qualified aviation As people move for employment, educational or lifestyle
professionals are available to operate, manage and maintain reasons, many families are now located in different regions
the future international air transport system going forward. around the world. These movements have resulted in far
greater cross-border ties between individuals and States.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that
Top 10 destination countries
migrant workers make up 4.4 per cent of all workers
for international students, 2015
globally, and that one in six workers in high-income
countries travelled there from another country46. Many of the
host countries of migrant workers, particularly in Europe,
have aging populations, making the international labour
market essential for their long-term economic well-being
and to support those of pensionable age.

“The mastery of the turn is the story of how aviation

became practical as a means of transportation. It is
the story of how the world became small.”
William Langewiesche, journalist and aviator

Fostering awareness of other cultures is another benefit of

aviation. Travel offers the possibility to bring people
Top 10 origin countries of together and experience other people’s traditions and
international students, 2015 ways of living. The opportunities offered to students,
families and business travellers, among others, to
experience new cultures in different countries, promote a
better understanding of society as a whole, and facilitate
closer international integration.

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics

AVIATION BENEFITS 31
 Essential Air Services
The assurance of “essential services” has generally been considered to be a major responsibility of States. Although
there is no uniform definition of essential services, such services may be described as basic economic services of
general interest, which are necessary for the efficient functioning of society. They consist of those which are
indispensable to life and health (for example, water, electricity and gas supplies) and those which are vital for the
assurance of social participation (for example, postal, telecommunication and transport services), with some variations
reflecting different economic, social, political and cultural developments among States. The term “public service” is
often used to describe an essential service in the energy, transport, and certain broadcasting sectors, while the term
“universal service” is used in relation to the health, postal and telecommunication sectors.
Since many air services to remote or peripheral destinations may not be commercially viable (i.e. rendering any
operation unprofitable), mainly due to a very low traffic volume, they would not be provided by the market in the absence
of government intervention or some kinds of subsidies and incentives. The result here is that choice may be limited or
non-existent. Theoretically, if such air services could be supported by the State concerned in a way that would not
distort the normal working of the market, welfare (economic and social benefits) would be maximized with the continued
provision of an adequate level of services. An additional dimension is that in several instances the responsible authorities
clearly recognize the socio-political value of such initiatives both in terms of public satisfaction or the need to secure
“widespread buy-in” to a specific programme such as liberalization initiative.
Another objective of assurance of essential air services is to facilitate and even drive economic development, primarily
through stimulating inward tourism and investments. Tourism is increasingly being recognized by the international
community and its institutions as a focal instrument for development, with special emphasis on the capacity of the
sector to assist poverty alleviation. For many LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS, in particular, tourism is often, or has the potential
to be, their major export and offers one common comparative advantage that these States share in the services-
dominated global marketplace.
Source: A Study of an Essential Service and Tourism Development Route Scheme, 2005, ICAO-UNWTO

32 AVIATION BENEFITS
Sustainable
Air Transport
Solutions
I n September 2015, world leaders gathered at the UN and
adopted the Transforming our World: 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development 47. This Agenda is a plan of action
between air transport and tourism, aviation directly
contributes to SDG Target 8.9: devise and
implement policies to promote sustainable tourism
for people, planet and prosperity and seeks to strengthen that creates jobs and promotes local culture and
universal peace in larger freedom. The world should aim to products by 2030.
achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• SDG 9, building resilient infrastructure, promoting
and 169 targets by 2030.
inclusive and sustainable industrialization and
Attainment of the SDGs relies on advances in sustainable fostering innovation, is a prerequisite to the mobility
air transport, which is a driver of sustainable development. of people and goods. Aviation is one of the most
Needs for assistance and capacity-building, including innovative industries in the world. The manufac-
infrastructure, should be mapped out and prioritized in line turing sector is continually developing new
with the SDGs. All stakeholders must make a genuine technology and creates significant urban infrastruc-
commitment to transforming the transport system in terms ture through the construction of airports and
of individual travel and freight into one that is “safe, navigational infrastructure 51.
affordable, accessible, efficient, and resilient while
minimizing carbon and other emissions and environmental
impacts”48.
Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme
for International Aviation (CORSIA)
The social and economic benefits of aviation come
with an environmental cost. For aviation to grow
sustainably, it is vital to improve the environmental
performance of air transport, and in particular to
tackle climate change, which is a global problem
and requires global efforts.
In October 2016, the 39th Session of ICAO's
Assembly reached a historic agreement on a global
market-based measure to address CO2 emissions
from international aviation, referred to as the
Affordability is key, most especially if transportation Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for
networks in the 21st century are to be truly inclusive, and International Aviation (CORSIA). This agreed
fulfil their promise to provide the practical mobility that scheme is the first GMBM that addresses CO2
is so urgently needed today. Accessibility is another fund- emissions from any industry sector. It complements
amental requirement, because only 30 per cent of the the many other efforts to mitigate CO2 emissions,
world’s over 7.5 billion people have access to an including driving greater innovation in aircraft
international airport within 100 kilometres radius 49 . technologies, more streamlined operational
Resiliency also helps to highlight that the massive procedures and sustainable alternative fuels.
investments required for quality aviation infrastructure
and modernization worldwide must be directed to well- To accommodate the special circumstances and
managed projects and products with dedicated account- respective capabilities of States, the implement-
ability and quality assurance mechanisms. ation of CORSIA will begin with a pilot phase from
2021 through 2023, followed by a first phase from
Many of the SDGs are directly and indirectly connected to 2024 through 2026. Participation in both of these
sustainable air transport. Besides the aforementioned early stages will be voluntary and the next phase
social and economic benefits, aviation contributes to the from 2027 to 2035 would see all States on board.
SDGs 50 in the following ways: Some exemptions were accepted for LDCs, LLDCs
• SDG 8 calls on governments to promote inclusive and SIDS and States with very low levels of
and sustainable economic growth, employment and international aviation activity.
decent work for all. Through policy convergence

34 AVIATION BENEFITS
• SDG 11 aims at making cities inclusive, safe, global CO 2 emissions produced by human activity;
resilient and sustainable. Aviation plays a funda- international aviation is responsible for approximately
mental role in overcoming the social exclusion of 1.3 per cent of global CO2 emissions 53.
vulnerable groups because aviation-related
Progress towards the goals needs to be monitored and
infrastructure is a major part of urban and rural
evaluated by adequate and quality data. ICAO is a
communities worldwide and contributes to the
custodial agency responsible for collecting traffic data and
connectivity of populations through integrated
sharing the information with the UN system to support the
transport links 52.
agreed global indicator (passenger and freight volumes by
• SDG 13, urgent action to combat climate change mode of transport) of the SDG target 9.1 – Develop quality,
and its impacts, is a key priority for every responsible reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure with a focus
citizen or organization today. According to most on affordable and equitable access for all 54. This global
recent figures from the Intergovernmental Panel on indicator helps States to take a data-driven approach and
Climate Change (IPCC), aviation (domestic and inter- address infrastructure gaps through appropriate policy and
national) accounts for approximately 2 per cent of financing interventions.

AVIATION BENEFITS 35
Modernizing
Aviation to
Maximize
its Benefits
A ccording to the latest long-term traffic forecasts, by
2034, both air passenger traffic and air freight traffic
are expected to more than double, compared to 2016.
If this projected growth is achieved, then in 2034, aviation
will provide a total of 99 million jobs consisting of 14.9
million direct jobs, 39.6 million indirect and induced jobs,
Passenger traffic is expected to be over 14 trillion RPKs and 44.6 million tourism-catalytic jobs. It will also generate
with a growth of 4.5 per cent per annum, and freight will a total of USD 5.9 trillion in GDP, a 122 per cent increase
expand by 4.2 per cent annually over the same time period, from 2014, consisting of direct contribution of USD 1.5
reaching 466 billion FTKs 55. trillion, indirect and induced contributions of USD 3.9
trillion, and tourism-catalytic contribution of 0.5 trillion 56.

Total passenger traffic: history and forecast

38 AVIATION BENEFITS
 (2005-2013). In comparison, road transport was allocated a
Funding, Financing and share of 54.7 per cent, which amounts to USD 60.9 billion58.
Investment Unlike other modes of transport, the aviation industry has
been paying for a vast majority of its own infrastructure
To foster this projected growth in a sustainable manner, a costs (runways, airport terminals, air traffic control), rather
large number of investments in the modernization and than being financed through taxation, public investment or
expansion of quality aviation infrastructure are required subsidies. Infrastructure costs are covered through
over a long period. The global investment needs for airport payments of user charges, most of which are added to
expansion and construction, for example, are estimated at airfares. In 2016, airlines and passengers were estimated
USD 1.8 trillion from 2015 to 2030 57. Investment in aviation to have paid USD 125.9 billion to airports and air navigation
infrastructure ensures that the capacity of the global
aviation system can meet future demand; generate gains
such as reductions in travel time and improvement of
service predictability and reliability; and, at the same time,
maintain public confidence that aviation is safe, secure and
environmentally responsible.
Although aviation's socio-economic benefits, its cross-
cutting nature and multiple links to other economic sectors
are widely recognized, this has rarely translated into the level
of investment which is necessary to truly derive these
benefits. It is noteworthy that air transport received a mere
4.2 per cent (USD 4.6 billion) of the total Official
Development Assistance (ODA) provided by all donors for
economic infrastructure and services for the past decade

AVIATION BENEFITS 39
services providers59. In addition, airlines and their cust-
Airport operators have moved beyond being mere
omers were estimated to generate USD 117 billion in tax
infrastructure providers for aeronautical activities, to
revenues in 2016, which is equivalent to 45 per cent of the
varied and far-reaching enterprises. Non-aeronautical
industry’s gross value added (firm-level equivalent to
and non-operating revenues make up 39.8 and 4.2
GDP)60, paid to local, provincial and national authorities
per cent, respectively. These revenues contribute to
through passenger duties, domestic value-added tax,
the diversification in an airport's income portfolio.
customs and immigration levies, etc.
Source: ACI
To build a transparent, stable and predictable investment
climate, it is necessary for States to take pragmatic
measures, for example, by engaging multi-stakeholders, Investments into
diversifying funding sources and elevating the role of the infrastructure and
private sector, including through private investment, technology
business reform, private finance initiatives, public-private
partnerships (PPP) and various incentive schemes. Sustainable
Improved
economic
air connectivity
growth
Airport Development and Opportunities
Better end-user
Expansion for import
and export
experience

Airports are capital intensive businesses. If airport Improved flow Global market
infrastructure improvements cannot keep pace with the of goods and access & traffic
projected demand growth, then in 2030, congestion at the products growth
100 largest airports in the world will result in as much as
1,200 million passengers (i.e. around 20 per cent of the
demand) lost or redirected to less attractive airports. As The key consideration is whether value is created both for
these airports represent 85 per cent of the global demand investors, relative to overall airport costs, and for
in 2030, the number of passengers affected by congestion passengers and other airport customers. Value creation
amounts to 17 per cent of all traffic 61. not only helps generate returns but also ensures the future
availability of capital to fund operations and future
Airport development projects are very large in scope and
innovations. Many airports have dedicated themselves to
have a long time horizon from planning to completion,
delivering a stellar customer experience. Promoting a
usually with multiple adjustments to the original plan along
culture of continuous service improvement has become a
the way. They are also complex because of the involvement
matter of gaining competitive advantage, building business
of a wide variety of stakeholders and revenue sources.
confidence and optimizing non-aeronautical revenue
Airport operators have moved beyond being mere
performance.
infrastructure providers for aeronautical activities, to varied
and far-reaching enterprises. Non-aeronautical and non- In addition, through their community outreach efforts,
operating revenues make up 39.8 and 4.2 per cent, airports continue to foster closer links to local residents and
respectively. These revenues contribute to the diversif- neighbourhoods. Successful cases of airport-community
ication in an airport's income portfolio. cooperation have led to decreased crime rates, greater
employment, and an increase in the number of successful
Airports no longer operate as a homogeneous group of
firms in and around the airport.
public utilities. Instead they are a heterogeneous group with
ownership structures ranging from government-owned, to
partially or fully privatized. Even government-owned and
government-managed airports are increasingly required to
Integrated Transport Planning
have a commercial focus. Nevertheless, most of the private
The work of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level
investment typically flows to airports with a sufficient critical
Advisory Group on Sustainable Transport (2016) 62 and the
mass of traffic to guarantee an expected return for investor
Global Sustainable Transport Conference (Ashgabat,
outlay.
2016)63 highlighted the need to integrate all sustainable

40 AVIATION BENEFITS
 freight and people, it is important that standards and
Belt and Road Initiative procedures are harmonized across countries and modes of
The Belt and Road initiative is a development strategy transport. Whether a shipment is crossing a national
proposed by China that aims to promote the border, or a passenger is transferring from an aircraft to
connectivity of Asian, European and African train or car, the infrastructure and operational links among
continents and their adjacent seas, establish and modes should be well-conceived and as seamless as
strengthen partnerships among over 65 countries possible 64.
along the Belt and Road. The identified 65 countries Increased connectivity, combined with ever advancing
jointly account for 62 per cent and 30 per cent of the technological capabilities like high-speed rail, can create
world’s population and GDP, respectively. In the next competition for airlines. Such alternatives will, however,
five years, China is estimated to invest up to USD 150 remain limited to short-haul routes. They are less flexible
billion in Belt and Road countries and regions. than the connectivity offered by aviation because of the
The initiative calls for the integration of the region into a vast investment required in “locked” infrastructure on the
cohesive economic area through building infrastruc- ground.
ture, increasing culture exchanges, and broadening The strategic placement of quality intermodal infrastructure
trade. On the basis of respecting each other’s does not only enhance the connectivity of airports but also
sovereignty and security concerns, countries along supports the sustainable social, economic and environ-
the Belt and Road should improve the connectivity of mental development of the region. For example, several
their infrastructure construction plans and technical airports have structured their development with the
standards systems, jointly push forward the aerotropolis concept (airport city) which integrates airports
construction of international trunk passageways, and with business centres and local communities, providing far
form an infrastructure network connecting all sub- reaching benefits for many stakeholders. Land-use
regions in Asia, and between Asia, Europe and Africa planning and management is also a vital instrument in
step by step. ensuring that the activities nearby airports are compatible
Countries need to improve the region’s infrastructure, with aviation, and that the gains achieved by the reduced
and put in place a secure and efficient network of land, noise of the latest generation of aircraft are not offset by
sea and air passages, lifting their connectivity to a higher further residential development around airports.
level to further enhance trade and investment facilitation.
For air transport, the initiative calls for expansion and
building platforms and mechanisms for comprehensive
Optimizing Air Traffic
civil aviation cooperation, and quickening the pace in
improving aviation infrastructure.
Management
The optimization and im-
provement of the overall Upgrading air traffic
aviation system generates systems would add
substantial economic and an estimated USD
transport planning efforts with a balanced development of
environmental gains in the 300 billion per year to
transport modes. Intermodal or multi-modal connectivity
face of dramatic traffic growth the global economy.
with air transport should encompass all modes of
projections and the pressing Source: Boeing
transportation flows to, from and within the airport.
need for more determined
Policies to promote intermodal transport connectivity aim and effective climate related
to enhance the mobility of people and businesses travelling stewardship.
or transporting goods through airports by creating efficient
and comprehensive transport systems. In Europe, the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management
Research (SESAR) project aims to consolidate fragmented
Close cooperation between the airport, city and govern- European airspace into a single zone. This will enable far
ment is a precondition to link the airport infrastructure with more efficient routing for civil aircraft, resulting in savings
the road and railway networks, and to enable other urban between 8 and 14 minutes of flight time, 300 to 500
planning initiatives to further increase connectivity and user kilograms of fuel, and 948 to 1,576 kilograms of CO2 per
satisfaction. Especially in the long-range movement of

AVIATION BENEFITS 41
flight. The implementation of the SESAR project requires a
total of € 3.7 billion investment from 2008 to 202465. Engine of Growth: Innovation
There are parallel initiatives in other regions. In the United and Exploration
States, the Next Generation Air Transportation System
(NextGen) is the ongoing transformation from a ground- Today’s aerospace and aircraft manufacturing industry
based system of air traffic control to a satellite-based seeks to produce more efficient aircraft which safely
system of air traffic management, resulting in an overall accommodate increasing demand. Modern aircraft
benefit-to-cost ratio of 3-to-166. In the Asia and Pacific produced today are about 80 per cent more fuel efficient
region, upgrading air navigation services would increase the per passenger kilometre than in the 1960s, and each new
overall aviation contribution to regional GDP from USD 470 generation of aircraft continues this downward trend.
billion in 2010 to USD 2,358.76 billion by the year 2030 67.

“The Wright Brothers created the single greatest

cultural force since the invention of writing. The
Fly Your Ideas airplane became the first World Wide Web, bringing
people, languages, ideas, and values together.”
Innovation is key to aerospace manufacturing; new
ideas are seen as extremely valuable and don’t always Bill Gates, Microsoft Corporation
come from established, experienced engineers.
The Airbus competition, Fly Your Ideas, challenges Civil aerospace manufacturers are research and develop-
young students to come up with new ideas for the ment (R&D) intensive, spending an estimated USD 15
future of aviation in partnership with UNESCO. It billion each year on R&D globally69. For example, Canadian
fosters young talent, with quality of education that can
help drive sustainable development forward beyond
the aviation sector itself. From the launch in 2008 to Technology Investments in Asia-Pacific
2017, more than 20,000 students from over 650 The Asia-Pacific region, which leads global air traffic
universities in over 100 countries worldwide have growth, has seen a particular boost with investments
taken part. from major aircraft manufacturers. Boeing’s industrial
Source: Airbus footprint spans major Asia-Pacific economies and is
expanding to meet increases in the company’s
commercial production.
The ICAO Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP)68 provides More than 65 Japanese companies support Boeing
States with a comprehensive planning tool supporting the programmes, accounting for over 40 per cent – about
global interoperability and harmonization of air navigation 22,000 direct and indirect jobs – of Japan’s aerospace
modernization programmes among States. Recognizing employment. Japan builds 35 per cent of the 787
that each project has different infrastructure needs that Dreamliner airframe and more than 20 per cent of the
require different solutions, this rolling, 15-year strategic 777. Boeing collaborates with Japanese industry and
plan leverages existing technologies and addresses universities to develop advanced manufacturing
required solutions based on the consensus-driven Aviation technologies and other innovations that will benefit
System Block Upgrade (ASBU) system. The implement- Japan’s current and future workforce.
ation of ASBU is phased over non-overlapping six-year Chinese companies supply every Boeing commercial
time increments through 2031 and beyond. The programme, from the vertical fin and horizontal
investment requirement for each phase is presented in this stabilizer for Boeing’s Next-Generation 737 and 747-
structured approach, making it easier to obtain buy-in from 8 to the rudder, wing-to-body fairing panels and other
States, equipment manufacturers, operators and service components for the 787. Meanwhile, the aircraft
providers. maker has trained more than 50,000 pilots,
technicians, factory workers and other professionals
in China’s fast-growing aviation industry.
Source: ABBB, 2016, ATAG

42 AVIATION BENEFITS
aerospace manufacturers generated close to 30 per cent
of overall Canadian manufacturing R&D and the industry How Safety Affects Air Traffic
was six times as R&D intensive (18%) as the manufacturing
industry average70. The growth of air traffic depends on various factors
such as airfares, relative prices, real income, level of
Aviation’s focus on technological innovation generates output, etc. Although there is not a clear
consequential benefits for wider society. The benefits to understanding of how safety performance affects
society of research and development spending by the traffic demand, public safety reputation might affect
aerospace industry are estimated to be much higher than in travellers’ choice of destinations and airlines. Acci-
manufacturing as a whole. Every USD 100 million of dent and incident might lead to an immediate decline
spending on research eventually generates additional GDP of demand to travel with the particular airline. For
benefits of USD 70 million, year after year71. Aerospace also airlines and States with already high safety records,
drives the development of technologies that can be used in further improvement of safety performance might be
other sectors. less significant for their traffic growth.
The continued demand for new technology nurtures the A potential impact of safety on traffic demand can be
development of specialized parts manufacturing clusters estimated using the econometric model, which uses
worldwide. In turn, the growth of these clusters creates an an effective Implementation (EI) score measured by
increasing demand for highly-skilled technicians and the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Pro-
designers from local communities. This improves the gramme Continuous Monitoring Approach as a proxy
educational, career and wage prospects of residents, as to each State’s safety performance. With all other
well as their quality of life. factors affecting traffic being constant, this
hypothetical analysis suggests that 10 per cent
improvement of the EI of a State’s safety oversight
system might generate, on average, an additional 1.8
per cent of aircraft departures from the State
concerned.
Source: ICAO

Aviation Safety and Economic Development

AVIATION BENEFITS 43
Leading
Aviation
for a Better
Future
A viation makes the dream and desire of being able to fly
a reality. As we see in this report, it is in the business of
connecting people, overcoming oceans and borders, and
by just 1 per cent annually, the total number of jobs to be
supported by the air transport sector would be over 10 per
cent less (more than 10 million) and the contribution of the
creating significant economic benefits. At the same time, air transport sector to world GDP would be around 12 per
aviation has vastly enhanced the safety of flight, and cent less (USD 690 billion lower)73.
addressed ever-changing security challenges.
So, can we say that the current air transport system is
Other means of access that are available — telecomm- sustainable? The quick answer is not yet, and that one of
unication, e-commerce, and perhaps, 3-D printing, may, in the main impediments to sustainability is fragmen-
the near future, substitute some air travel or impact the tation—fragmentation of the industry along national and
growth and nature of the demand. Nonetheless, moving regional lines, fragmentation of the economic value chain.
people and goods over short and long distances remains Whether the fragmentation is geographic or economic—or
vital to sustainable development. The key is meeting the a combination of the two — barriers posed to the air
needs of people in their personal and economic lives while transport system impede efficiency, generate friction and
respecting the ability of future generations to meet their hinder growth. Removing operational and/or regulatory
needs: the essence of sustainable development 72 . barriers and deficiencies is of fundamental importance to
ensure and promote sustainable air transport and
maximize its contribution to economies.
“The desire to fly is an idea handed down to us by our For example, air transport suffers from a fragmented
ancestors who... looked enviously on the birds regulatory system, which proved its value in the past but
soaring freely through space... on the infinite highway needs to be profoundly adapted for the demands of today
of the air.” and, most assuredly, tomorrow. That fragmentation could
increase if countries move away from global practices,
Wilbur Wright, inventor and aviation pioneer
creating a fundamental challenge for the industry.
Regulations should facilitate transformation and new
technologies. Efforts in this respect must focus on the
The future of aviation is dependent upon a vibrant establishment and application of good regulatory practices
economy, which, in turn, relies on a strong international and governance for air transport, including modernization,
community and healthy environment capable of supporting harmonization and convergence of regulatory approaches
over seven billion people. Other factors, such as regulatory and regimes of States, and the promotion of connectivity,
regimes, technological improvements and fuel costs will competition, transparency and choice for consumers.
also impact future growth.
Needless to say, aviation can only be sustainable if
Forecasts suggest that, in 2034, aviation will provide 99 it does not compromise
million jobs and generate USD 5.9 trillion in GDP, a 122 per the environment. Techno-
cent increase from 2014. By any measure, these numbers logical progress and oper-
are impressive. However, if the traffic growth were to slow ational improvements
continue but the rate of
traffic growth will result in a
net increase in aircraft
Economic Benefits of Liberalization noise and aviation emiss-
Since the signature of the Air Transport Agreement ions without taking addit-
between the European Union (EU) and the United ional measures. Even as
States in 2007, 52 new routes have been opened, and early as 2010, ICAO and its
6 million additional passengers have been flying Member States adopted
between both sides of the Atlantic. The agreement the ambitious aspirational
generated savings of € 230 per passenger compared goals for the international
to ticket prices before the agreement was signed. aviation sector of “improv-
ing fuel efficiency by two
Source: Fact Sheet: An Ambitious International Aviation Policy,
2017, European Commission per cent per year and from
2020 keeping net CO 2
emissions at the same

46 AVIATION BENEFITS
levels”. The more States join the Carbon Offsetting and
Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), Check List:
which was adopted in October 2016, the higher Maximizing the Benefits of Aviation
environmental integrity can be achieved. Each State
participating in the CORSIA brings us closer to meeting the The check list below provides a guide for maximizing
aspirational goal of carbon neutral growth from 2020. aviation benefits in a sustainable manner. The
implementation of this check list will require leadership
For sustainable air transport development, another and concerted, coordinated actions from public
aspirational goal or long-term ambition will be “no authorities at all levels, together with aviation
constraints of infrastructure capacity, technology and stakeholders, financial sectors, and international and
financial resources for aviation development”. Quality regional organizations.
aviation infrastructure should safely accommodate the
increase in air traffic demand, and respond to the diversified Economic Development Planning – Mainstream
needs of providers, users and consumers, global the priorities of the aviation sector in States’ economic
environmental concerns, and other issues inherent in the development planning so that aviation can be used as
current air transport systems. an economic development driver.

In this regard, States should, in partnership with Air Transport Regulatory Framework – Establish
international and regional organizations, the industry, as and apply good governance for air transport, i.e. the
well as multi-lateral development banks and other financial institutional, regulatory, and policy frameworks, in
institutions, inter alia: which air transport is designed, implemented and
managed.
• diversify funding and financing sources with the
elevation of the role of the private sector and the Aviation Infrastructure – Develop quality aviation
effective use of domestic resources and international infrastructure (including air navigation systems and
development funding; airports) commensurate with the level of predicted
traffic growth and based on ICAO’s global plans.
• create enabling institutional, legal and regulatory
frameworks to encourage investments; Resource Mobilization – Promote diversified
funding and financing sources in partnership with
• reflect the priorities of the aviation sector in States, international and regional organizations, the
national/regional development plans; industry, as well as multi-lateral development banks
• integrate air transport and urban planning (including and other financial institutions.
land-use planning) initiatives with an appropriately- Safety and Security – Comply with ICAO’s global
balanced development of transport modes; standards and policies, as well as the industry
• establish strategic infrastructure targets and standards to continue enhancing civil aviation safety
monitoring and evaluation frameworks using a data- and security.
driven approach; and Environmental Protection – Reinforce efforts
• design public awareness campaigns and education toward minimizing the environmental effects from civil
programmes to raise business confidence and foster aviation activities, especially the achievement of the
an informed and engaged public as a crucial partner. aspirational goals of carbon neutral growth from
2020.
We urge all stakeholders to pledge the highest level of
commitment to maximizing the benefits of aviation in a Public Engagement – Foster an informed and
sustainable manner that is safe, affordable, accessible, engaged public as a crucial partner to advance
efficient, resilient and environmentally responsible. sustainable air transport solutions.

AVIATION BENEFITS 47
Appendix:
Regional
Summary
AFRICA
The growth of passenger traffic (measured in revenue
passenger-kilometres (RPKs)) and load factors achieved by
African airlines has been systematically below the world
average since 2011. Few airlines in the region are able to
turn a profit due to lower load factors and higher costs than
the world average.
While the African States are in the process of implementing
the Yamoussoukro Decision concerning the liberalization of
access to air transport markets in Africa, the most notable
progress was made at the sub-regional group level,
especially led by Regional Economic Communities (RECs)
of the African Union (AU).
Total jobs and GDP supported
by aviation in Africa, 2014
Benefits of Aviation 74

Air transport supports 6.8 million jobs and contributed USD

72.5 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) in Africa.
Besides the USD 9.9 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches economies. The effect of the
procurement of goods and services through the supply
chain has an impact of USD 11.3 billion. The benefits that
arise when employees of the industry and its supply chain
spend their wages in the local consumer economy account
for another USD 5.2 billion of economic impact. Direct,
indirect and induced, respectively, contribute USD 26
billion to the African GDP. In addition, the spending by
foreign tourists in the region accounts for USD 46 billion of
the total economic impact.

50 AVIATION BENEFITS
 However, it remains difficult for African States and aviation
Outlook stakeholders to access funds and/or ensure financing for the
modernization and expansion of their infrastructure (such as
The African aviation market probably has the most potential airports, runways, telecommunication equipment, air cargo
for growth out of all global regions. This is because it is a warehousing, meteorology facilities, etc.). For example, the
young industry with a large and increasing population. infrastructure and investment required for the aviation sector
However, this potential may not be fully translated into real is not well covered by the Programme for Infrastructural
air traffic growth. According to ICAO's long-term traffic Development for Africa (PIDA) and the New Partnership for
forecasts, passenger traffic for the Africa region is expected Africa's Development (NEPAD), including the Move Africa
to grow by around 3.8 per cent annually up to 2032 but be initiative. Of the over 50 projects under the PIDA, no more
slightly slower than world total growth. For freight traffic, the than three projects involve civil aviation, despite the
region is projected to grow by 2.1 per cent annually for the predication that 17 airports on the African continent will be
same period as passenger traffic, the slowest growth rate saturated by 2020 77.
among all regions75.
International assistance platforms for infrastructure develop-
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic ment in Africa, such as the Tokyo International Conference on
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the African Development (TICAD) and the Forum on China-Africa
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air Cooperation (FOCAC), have also paid limited attention to the
transport and the tourism it facilitates in Africa will have aviation sector.
grown to support 12 million jobs (78 per cent more than in
2014) and a USD 198 billion contribution to GDP (a 173 per In addition, the slow implementation of the Yamoussoukro
cent increase)76. Decision creates regulatory impediments to operational
freedom and investments in aviation, and therefore results in
lower connectivity in the continent and less competitiveness of
Challenges African airlines. Only 20 African States committed to
implementing the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM)
The first and most obvious condition to realizing aviation's established in the framework of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
benefits and, consequently, supporting the attainment of the
In the region, skills shortages are also posing a considerable
AU Agenda 2063 is to improve compliance with ICAO's global
short-term obstacle to growth, with a lack of adequately
standards. It is necessary to establish and/or align
trained pilots, air traffic controllers, engineers, as well as
infrastructure programmes and plans at the national/regional
tourism industry personnel. Africa needs more and better
level that are consistent with the ICAO global strategic plans
trained personnel to meet not only current requirements but
for aviation, and stimulate common and interoperable air
also the needs for future growth and new technologies.
transport systems.

AVIATION BENEFITS 51
ASIA AND PACIFIC
Airlines of Asia and Pacific have consistently recorded
passenger traffic growth higher than the world average
since 2009. In 2010, Asia and Pacific overtook North
America in RPK traffic and became the world's largest
region. Today, one third of worldwide RPKs are performed
by airlines registered in Asia and Pacific. Five of the top ten
countries in terms of tourism are located in Asia and Pacific.
The region also carries the largest share of freight traffic
with 40 per cent of the world freight (measured in freight
tonne-kilometres (FTKs)).
States in Asia and Pacific have the most diversified policies
on air transport, ranging from very liberal open skies
policies to traditional protectionist approaches. Neverthe- Total jobs and GDP supported
less, a majority of States have embarked on the road to by aviation in Asia and Pacific, 2014
liberalization in the past two decades, which led to rapid
growth of air traffic, especially in major markets such as
Australia, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and
States belonging to the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN). Governments have also put significant
effort into upgrading and improving the quality of these
networks, with the region boasting a number of world class
aviation hubs.

Benefits of Aviation 78

Air transport supports 28.8 million jobs and USD 626 billion
in GDP in the Asia and Pacific region.
Besides the USD 133.3 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches further through the Asia and Pacific
region economies. The effect of the procurement of goods billion of economic impact. Direct, indirect and induced,
and services through the supply chain has an impact of respectively, contribute USD 364 billion to the Asia and
USD 158.2 billion. The benefits that arise when employees Pacific GDP. In addition, the spending of foreign tourists in
of the industry and its supply chain spend their wages in the the region accounts for USD 261.8 billion of the total
local consumer economy account for another USD 72.9 economic impact.

52 AVIATION BENEFITS
 massive investment in new infrastructure projects and for
Outlook the adequate maintenance and upgrading of those already
The wider trend of liberalization is likely to provide a further in place. The investment needs for airport expansion and
boost to the region's expanding tourism industry, trade construction in the region are estimated at USD 6.51 billion
connections, and air connectivity. According to ICAO's per year till 202082.
long-term traffic forecasts, Asia and Pacific is expected to With regard to public finance, governments must consider
be the fastest growing region in terms of passenger traffic, how to mobilize greater domestic resources, access new
at an annual rate of 6.4 per cent up to 2032. For freight external resources and improve public expenditure
traffic, the region is projected to grow 5.1 per cent annually management. Concerning private finance, public-private
for the same period as passenger traffic, the second partnerships have already become a key mechanism for
highest growth rate among all regions79. channelling private resources for infrastructure develop-
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic ment in the Asia and Pacific region83.
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the The projected expansion of the aviation sector in the region
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air will also bring the need for effective regulatory oversight
transport and the tourism it facilitates in Asia and Pacific will that keeps pace with this growth, as well as the recruitment
have grown to support 44.3 million jobs (54 per cent more and training of the necessary skilled manpower. The most
than in 2014) and a USD 1.7 trillion contribution to GDP (a likely scenario is that airlines in the Asia and Pacific region
171 per cent increase)80. will need to train an average of 13,983 pilots a year until
2030 while the industry is only able to train 4,935 pilots a
year 84.
Challenges In addition, the Asia and Pacific region has yet to achieve a
Aviation infrastructure improvements may not keep pace kind of “seamless connectivity” that would allow countries
with the faster demand growth. Due to airport capacity to make the optimal use of air transport, and thereby bring
constraints, in 2030, around 33 per cent of traffic at the down transport and logistics costs. The facilitation of
region's 22 busiest airports will be lost or redirected to less transport and the improvement of logistics performance
attractive airports81. Closing infrastructure gaps requires would enhance the competitiveness of the region's
developing countries85.

AVIATION BENEFITS 53
 EUROPE
Europe is one of the most liberalized regions in terms of air
transport policies and activities led by the Member States
of the European Union (EU). The EU single aviation market
was originally created in 1997. By integrating neighbouring
States into the single aviation market, a European
Common Aviation Area (ECAA) was formed in 2006,
covering 36 contracting parties.
Today, half of international passengers worldwide are
carried by European airlines. Europe overtook North
America in 2012 and ranks second in total RPKs. European
airlines have achieved load factors consistently higher than
the world average since 2011. Within Europe, over 40 per
cent of seats are offered by low-cost carriers (LCCs), which Total jobs and GDP supported
is the highest among all regions. by aviation in Europe, 2014

Benefits of Aviation
Air transport supports 11.9 million jobs and USD 860 billion
in GDP in Europe86.
Besides the USD 192.8 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches further through European
economies. The effect of the procurement of goods and
services through the supply chain has an impact of USD
233.4 billion. The benefits that arise when employees of the
industry and its supply chain spend their wages in the local
consumer economy account for another USD 105.2 billion
of economic impact. Direct, indirect and induced, of 1.7 million people, earning a total of € 68.5 billion in 2013.
respectively, contribute USD 531 billion to the GDP in In addition, € 101.6 billion in GDP was generated, equal to
Europe. In addition, the spending of foreign tourists in the 0.6 per cent of the GDP of Europe. Once European
region accounts for USD 328.1 billion of the total economic airports’ Direct, indirect, induced and catalytic (including
impact87. tourism, trade, investments, etc.) economic impacts are
taken into account, they supported roughly 4.1 per cent (€
According to the estimate by the ACI-Europe study88, 647.5 billion) of total European GDP and 12.3 million jobs,
European airports directly contributed to the employment earning € 356 billion in income annually.

54 AVIATION BENEFITS
 three hours per day. In the most-likely scenario, this will
Outlook climb to 30 airports in 2035. Congestion in the network
affects day-to-day delays but it also influences the ability to
Although the relative maturity and limited airport capacity in
respond to an unusual event 91.
Western Europe leads to slower traffic growth, emerging
economies in the east are contributing to the overall growth The economic impact associated with the gap between
in the region. According to ICAO’s long-term traffic capacity and demand is estimated to be two million jobs
forecasts, total passenger traffic of Europe is expected to and USD 132 billion (€ 96.7 billion) in GDP, including direct
grow by around 3.0 per cent annually up to 2032, the activity at the airport, indirect and induced impacts, and the
slowest growth among all regions. For freight traffic, the lost tourism, trade and investment due to low connectivity
region is projected to grow 2.6 per cent annually for the growth. Furthermore, the majority of this loss is in the
same period as passenger traffic, slower than total world general economy, not the airports or aviation sector 92.
growth89.
Slower growth is a threat to aviation's long-term ability to
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic provide mobility in the region. For example, competition
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the with hubs in the Middle East region for connecting traffic
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air between West and East will result in slower growth of
transport and the tourism it facilitates in Europe will have transferring passengers at European hubs on the long-haul
grown to support 17 million jobs (41 per cent more than in traffic flows. Capability to continually improve cost
2014) and a USD 1.6 trillion contribution to GDP (an 86 per efficiency will be restrained in a market with slower rates of
cent increase)90. growth93.
Moreover, as the geographic centre of gravity of air
Challenges transport operations and technology gains is increasingly
outside Europe, the benefits that Europe has derived from
The restrictions of infrastructure development across the being at the forefront of aviation could diminish. There is an
continent are leading to capacity shortfalls. According to increasing probability that investors will be fatigued by the
EUROCONTROL's analysis, in the summer period 2012, lack of return on investment in some portions of the
six airports were considered “congested” in the sense of industry, and thus divert their focus away from Europe to
operating at 80 per cent or more of their capacity for over regions where aviation will grow faster 94.

AVIATION BENEFITS 55
LATIN AMERICA AND THE
CARIBBEAN
The air transport sector in Latin America and the Caribbean
is characterized by the liberalization of several domestic
and regional markets, combined with a consolidation of
airlines. Regional air transport liberalization initiatives have
resulted in the adoption of agreements by the Andean
Community (CAN), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),
the Southern Common Market (MECROSUR) and the
Association of Caribbean States (ACS). All of these
initiatives aim to harmonize air transport policies and to
liberalize the granting of traffic rights and market access at
the regional level.
With sporting events such as the Olympics and the football Total jobs and GDP supported by aviation
World Cup providing an additional boost, passenger traffic in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2014
growth and load factors achieved in the past years are in
line with the world average.

Benefits of Aviation 95

Air transport supports 5.2 million jobs and USD 167 billion
in GDP in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Besides the USD 40 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches further through Latin America and
the Caribbean economies. The effect of the procurement of
goods and services through the supply chain has an
impact of USD 45.9 billion. The benefits that arise when
employees of the industry and its supply chains spend their
wages in the local consumer economy account for another
USD 21.3 billion. Direct, Indirect and Induced, respectively,
contribute USD 107 billion to the GDP in Latin America and in the region accounts for USD 60 billion of the total
the Caribbean. In addition, the spending of foreign tourists economic impact.

56 AVIATION BENEFITS
 address these issues, relief is years away at best. In the
Outlook meantime, there will be lost opportunities for creating jobs
and spurring economic growth.
In addition to continuous economic growth, air travel
demand will be stimulated by increasing airline competition The projected expansion of the aviation sector in the region
across the region. According to ICAO's long-term traffic will also bring the need for effective regulatory oversight
forecasts, total passenger traffic of Latin America and the that keeps pace with this growth, as well as the recruitment
Caribbean region is expected to grow by around 3.5 per and training of the necessary skilled manpower. The most
cent annually up to 2032, faster than total world growth. likely scenario is that airlines in Latin America and the
For freight traffic, the region is projected to grow 2.9 per Caribbean region will need to train an average of 6,250
cent annually for the same period as passenger traffic, pilots a year until 2030 while the industry is only able to train
slower than total world growth96. 1,945 pilots a year 99.
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic It is a matter of great concern that taxes on the sale or use
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the of air transport are increasingly being imposed by Latin
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air America and Caribbean States. There are 130 different
transport and the tourism it facilitates in Latin America/ ticket taxes and fees in place across the region100, most of
Caribbean will have grown to support 9.7 million jobs which are not intended to cover costs of aviation-related
(88 per cent more than in 2014) and a USD 430 billion services and infrastructure but are a means to generate
contribution to GDP (a 157 per cent increase)97. additional government revenue. The share of these taxes
as a percentage of ticket price varies between 15 and 20
per cent101.
Challenges The past decade has also seen the proliferation of tourism
taxes in the region, ranging from USD 1.50 to USD 55. In
Infrastructure deficiencies have long been an issue in the
many cases, revenues from the tourism taxes such as
region. Major airports in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador,
Tourism Enhancement Fee and Travel Promotional levies
Mexico and Peru face growth constraints. Among the
are not being reinvested in tourism development.
world's 134 economies analysed by the World Economic
Forum, for example, Panama ranks 6th, Ecuador 39th, States are strongly encouraged to observe ICAO's policies
Chile 47th and Mexico 61st in quality of air transport on charges and taxation102 because the imposition of high
infrastructure, but Argentina (86th), Brazil (94th), Colombia taxes is counterproductive. In many cases, the revenue
(76th), El Salvador (74th), Peru (80th) and Venezuela raised is far outweighed by the economic benefits that are
(127th) are below average98. While plans are in place to relinquished as a result of reduced demand for air travel and
air cargo shipments.

AVIATION BENEFITS 57
MIDDLE EAST
The varying growth potential of different parts of the word
has resulted in the steady movement of the geographic
centre of gravity of air transport operations from the middle
of North Atlantic to the east of Mediterranean for the last
four decades. Operating at the crossroads of trade and
transportation between east and west, airlines in the
Middle East are well positioned to consolidate traffic
connecting these regions through their hubs and to offer
one-stop services between them. The rapid expansion of
some Middle Eastern airlines was also spurred by a more
liberal policy adopted unilaterally by some States in the
region.
Middle East has been the fastest growing region for passenger Total jobs and GDP supported by
and cargo traffic since 2011 and airlines in this region have aviation in the Middle East, 2014
posted double-digit passenger traffic growth every year since
2012. The region now ranks third in international passenger
traffic, overtaking North America in 2012.

Benefits of Aviation 103

Air transport supports 2.4 million jobs and USD 157.2

billion in GDP in the Middle East.
Besides the USD 36.8 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches further through Middle Eastern
economies. The effect of the procurement of goods and
services through the supply chain has an impact of USD
41.5 billion. The benefits that arise when employees of the
industry and its supply chain spend their wages in the local
consumer economy account for another USD 19.2 billion.
Direct, indirect and induced, respectively, contribute USD spending of foreign tourists in the region accounts for USD
97 billion to the GDP in the Middle East. In addition, the 59.7 billion of the total economic impact.

58 AVIATION BENEFITS
 the level of predicted traffic growth should be increased
Outlook through improved airspace design and organization.
Moreover, individual developments in ATM and airspace
With the further movement of the air transport centre of capacity are not enough: harmonization, integration and
gravity from West to East, the geographic position of the collaboration among aviation stakeholders is essential to
Gulf hubs will continue to offer a strategic advantage to realize the full potential of national projects106.
several airlines in the region. According to ICAO long-term
traffic forecasts, total passenger traffic of the Middle East This region is in need of political commitment to market
region is expected to grow by around 5.2 per cent annually liberalization. Although the Middle East is home to some of
up to 2032, the second fastest growth among all regions the world's largest hub airports, the relations between
after Asia and Pacific. The Middle East is expected to be the States are still mostly bound by bilateral air services
fastest growing region in terms of freight traffic growth, and agreements that limit market access to each other. The
is projected to grow at 7.1 per cent annually up to 2032104. Agreement on Liberalization of Air Transport between the
Arab States, more commonly known as the Damascus
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic Agreement, was accepted by only eight States since its
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the entry into force in 2007. As States often have a direct
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air influence in aviation projects, the functioning of market
transport and the tourism it facilitates in the Middle East will economies and business transparency may be hampered
have grown to support 5.2 million jobs (119 per cent more by political complexity, tight national control and restricted
than in 2014) and a USD 489 billion contribution to GDP (a air services agreements107.
211 per cent increase)105.
The projected expansion of the aviation sector in the region
will also bring the need for effective regulatory oversight
Challenges that keeps pace with this growth, as well as the recruitment
and training of the necessary skilled manpower. The most
The growth in air transport activities in the Middle East likely scenario is that airlines in the Middle East region will
region is causing significant airspace congestion. The need to train an average of 2,458 pilots a year up till 2030
overall efficiency of the ATM system commensurate with while the industry is only able to train 860 pilots a year108.

AVIATION BENEFITS 59
NORTH AMERICA
North America is characterized by a high volume of
domestic traffic: domestic passenger traffic is more than
twice the international passenger traffic in terms of RPKs. It
is the only region where airlines have a larger domestic than
international market. Because of the maturity of the market,
passenger and cargo traffic has been growing more slowly
than the world average since 2011. Although the region
ranked first in total RPKs in 2007, it now ranks third.
Nevertheless, airlines in the region generated more than
half of the total industry net profits in both 2015 and 2016,
and achieved the highest load factors.
North America is, along with Europe, a fully-liberalized and
very consolidated market. Much of the growth of the region Total jobs and GDP supported by
is attributed to the status of North America as a manufact- aviation in North America, 2014
uring powerhouse and to the high purchasing power of
consumers.

Benefits of Aviation
Air transport supports 7.6 million jobs and USD 791 billion
in GDP in the North America109 .
Besides the USD 252 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
sector impact reaches further through North American
economies. The effect of the procurement of goods and
services through the supply chain has an impact of USD
271.1 billion. The benefits that arise when employees of the
industry and its supply chain spend their wages in the local
consumer economy account for another USD 131 billion.
Direct, indirect and induced, respectively, contribute USD
(including general aviation and the domestic tourism
654 billion to the GDP in North America. In addition, the
markets) accounted for 5.1 per cent of the United States’
spending of foreign tourists in the region accounts for USD
economy in 2014. The total output of civil aviation-related
136.8 billion of the total economic impact110.
goods and services amounted to USD 1.6 trillion and
According to the estimate by the Federal Aviation generated 10.6 million jobs, with earnings of USD 447
Administration of the United States111, civil aviation billion.

60 AVIATION BENEFITS
 serve the travelling public and maintain high levels of
Outlook customer service. They also hurt productivity and
economic competitiveness. Unnecessary flight delays that
North America has been a mature market for years, with are often the result of outdated technology and procedures
mass usage and price sensitivity. Travellers and shippers cost the United States an estimated USD 25 billion in 2016
have had ample time to adjust to liberalization. alone114.
Consequently, traffic stimulated by income growth and
market liberalization will be lower than in other regions. NextGen is a long-term initiative in the United States,
According to ICAO long-term traffic forecasts, total aiming to transform the current radar-based air transport-
passenger traffic of North America is expected to grow by ation system into one that uses satellite navigation,
around 3.3 per cent annually up to 2032, slower than total automated aircraft position reporting, and digital commun-
world growth. For freight traffic, the region is projected to ications. The total benefits of NextGen improve-ments will
grow more slowly than the world total at 2.5 per cent be USD 160.6 billion, at a cost of USD 35.8 billion115.
annually for the same period as passenger traffic112. However, there are potential issues related to NextGen
implementation. For example, delays and cost increases in
This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic individual programmes that was initiated prior to NextGen
output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the and, upon which NextGen is dependent, could affect the
next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air timelines and goals for NextGen implementation116.
transport and the tourism it facilitates in North America will
have grown to support 11 million jobs (43 per cent more In order to further boost their air traffic and economies in
than in 2014) and a USD 1.5 trillion contribution to GDP (a general, both Canada and the United States will rely more
91 per cent increase)113. on the potential of the travel and tourism sector. The key to
maximizing the outcome is to improve marketing and
branding activities, as well as to prioritize the sector more in
Challenges its development strategy. According to the analysis of the
World Economic Forum, Canada could further improve on
The growth in air transport activities in North America this dimension by easing its visa policy, which currently
requires improved traffic flow and reduced congestion. ranks 120th117.
High airport delays hurt the aviation industry's efforts to

AVIATION BENEFITS 61
LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS Benefits of Aviation (SIDS) 120

Least Developed Countries (LDCs) represent the poorest Air transport supports 1.4 million jobs and USD 25.3 billion
and weakest segment of the international community. in GDP in SIDS.
These 48 States comprise more than 880 million people
Besides the USD 2.3 billion of direct impact in GDP, the
(about 12 per cent of world population) but account for less
sector impact reaches further through the SIDS econ-
than 2 per cent of world GDP and about 1 per cent of global
omies. The effect of the procurement of goods and services
trade in goods118.
through the supply chain has an impact of USD 1.1 billion.
Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) are developing The benefits that arise when employees of the industry and
countries that are landlocked. These 32 States are at a its supply chain spend their wages in the local consumer
significant economic disadvantage due to geographic economy account for another USD 1.1 billion. Direct,
remoteness, lack of direct access to the sea, higher than indirect and induced, respectively, contribute USD 4.5
average transport costs for both exports and imports, and billion to the GDP in SIDS. In addition, the spending of
limited integration into the world economy. foreign tourists in the region accounts for USD 20.9 billion
of the total economic impact.
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) consist of 38
maritime developing countries (and 20 non-UN Members
and Associate Members) facing specific social, economic
and environmental vulnerabilities.
Outlook (SIDS) 121

For such counties in special situations, aviation represents Given the long distance from the main tourist-generating
an essential lifeline and air traffic from these countries has markets, foreign tourists mainly travel and arrive by air.
tended to grow faster than the world average. For example, According to ATAG’s long-term traffic forecasts, total
the volume of passenger traffic in LLDCs rose by 58 per passenger traffic of SIDS is expected to grow by around 4.9
cent from 20.0 million in 2010 to 31.7 million in 2016, per cent annually up to 2034, faster than total world
compared to the world average of 44 per cent during the growth, due mainly to rapid urbanization, population
same period. However, passenger traffic in LLDCs repre- growth and tourism development.
sents only a 0.83 per cent share of the world's passenger This increase will, in turn, drive growth in the economic
volume. Similar trends hold for freight volume, which output and jobs that are supported by air transport in the
increased for LLDCs from 340.6 thousand tonnes in 2010 next decade. By 2034, it is forecasted that the impact of air
to 648.2 thousand tonnes in 2016 but still account for just transport and the tourism it facilitates in SIDS will have
1.23 per cent of global freight volume119. grown to support 2.3 million jobs (66 per cent more than in
2014) and a USD 51.6 billion contribution to GDP (a 104
per cent increase).
Total jobs and GDP supported by
aviation in SIDS, 2014
Challenges
Most airports in LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS receive only a
limited number of flights a week, and costs of air travel are
disproportionally high. The potential uncertainty about
continuation of air services might have an adverse effect on
a travel industry’s inward investment and the opportunity
for inbound tourism, and thus the actual loss of a service
could have a much greater cost. Without reliable, attractive
air services and harmonized aviation and tourism policies,
the benefits of aviation and tourism simply cannot be
realized or are constrained at best.
Improvements in airport infrastructure, installation of
advanced air traffic control and air navigation systems,

62 AVIATION BENEFITS
better safety and security services, and liberalization of air The latest estimate indicates that tourism now represents 7
transport are all important measures to be considered by per cent of the LDCs’ total exports of goods and services,
LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS to break a vicious circle of and for non-oil exporters, the figure stands at 10 per
economic and logistical disadvantages and enhance cent123. However, over-dependence on international
structural transformation122 . tourism is not risk-free. Tourism demand is very sensitive to
economics, security, political events and natural disasters,
The needs, characteristics and economic vulnerabilities are
and is of a seasonal nature. A “smart product mix”, i.e. the
different for each country. Some LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS
establishment of good integration between aviation and
are too small or remote to achieve structural transformation
other service and commodity sectors, is required. For
through industrialization (i.e. achieving higher levels of
example, developing state-of-the-art air transport facilities
added value in manufacturing) but have significant unused
would not only be a sensible move for competitiveness in
natural and cultural tourism potential and opportunities in
international tourism, it could also serve as a powerful
the area of trade in services. To open new economic
incentive for foreign direct investors to explore economic
development prospects, these countries are encouraged
opportunities in other economic sectors124.
to incorporate the aviation sector into their tourism master
plans.

AVIATION BENEFITS 63
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64 AVIATION BENEFITS
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AVIATION BENEFITS 65
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66 AVIATION BENEFITS
This report makes use of material by ACI, CANSO, IATA, ICAO and ICCAIA, as
well as the publication of the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) entitled Aviation:
Benefits Beyond Borders (ABBB). While every effort has been made to ensure
the quality and accuracy of information in this report, it is made available without
any warranty of any kind.