Economic growth
Aviation is a key driver of global economic development. Over a third of all trade by value is sent by air, which makes aviation a key component of business worldwide.
Supporting employment
The aviation industry supports 87.7 million jobs around the world. Some of these roles are within the industry itself, at airports, for airlines, and in civil aerospace and air navigation services, while other jobs are supported by the economic activity that air travel creates.
Adding value to the economy
The aviation industry supports $3.5 trillion (4.1%) of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). If aviation were a country, it would rank 17th in size by GDP. That equates to the GDP of Indonesia and the Netherlands.
Enabling trade
Air transport facilitates international trade, particularly for valuables and perishable goods. Over a third of world trade by value travels by air.
The future
The aviation market is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. By 2038, global air transport is forecast to support 143 million jobs and contribute $6.3 trillion to the global economy.
When the system stops
Thankfully we don't often experience what modern life would be like without air transport, but we caught a glimpse in 2010 when Iceland's Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, grounding many flights for several days.