A4A Launches National Airline Policy Campaign to Help Ensure Global Competitiveness of U.S. Airline Industry

Commercial aviation helps drive more than 10M American jobs and 5 cents of every dollar of U.S. GDP
Commercial aviation drives more than $1 trillion per year in economic activity
In 2012, U.S. airlines moved more than 48,000 tons of cargo per day
In 2012, the value of a kilogram of U.S. merchandise exported by air averaged 121 times the value exported by sea
For every 100 airline jobs, some 360 are supported outside of the airline industry
Federal taxes constitute $61 – or 20% – of the price of a typical $300 domestic round-trip ticket
In 2011, U.S. airlines carried 16 percent more passengers and cargo using 10 percent less fuel than in 2000
Domestically, airlines drive 5% of economic activity but account for 2% of man-made GHG emissions
From 2000-2011, airlines reduced GHG emissions by 11% while transporting 16% more passengers and cargo
From 1975-2011, U.S. airlines and their partners reduced significant noise exposure by 99%
Commercial air travel is the safest form of intercity transportation in the United States
In the most recent decade, scheduled air service on U.S. airlines was seven times safer than in the 1970s
From 2000-2012, U.S. airlines improved the on-time arrival rate from 72.6% to 81.9%
From 2000-2012, U.S. airlines reduced the flight cancellation rate sharply from 3.30% to 1.29%
Airfares are a bargain: From 2000-2012, U.S. CPI rose 33% while average domestic fare rose just 14%
Adjusted for inflation, the average round-trip domestic airfare fell 15% from 2000
2007 domestic flight delays cost the United States approximately $31 billion
In 2012, the value of U.S. merchandise exported by air reached an all-time high of $427B
In 2012, U.S. exports of air-travel services reached an all-time high of $39.5B, driving a $5.1B trade surplus
In 2012, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines spent more than $50B on fuel, averaging 36% of operating expenses
In 2012, U.S. airlines posted the lowest annual rate of mishandled baggage ever recorded
FAA projects U.S. air travel demand to top 1 billion passengers in 2027
In 2012, US airlines flew 83.4 million passengers in scheduled international service - a record high
In 2012, the total value of merchandise exported from or imported to the United States by air exceeded $927 billion
In 2012, 7.15 teragrams of merchandise was exported from or imported to the United States by air

	A4A Launches National Airline Policy Campaign to Help Ensure Global Competitiveness of U.S. Airline Industry
	PubZone1 WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 5, 2012 – Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today launched a campaign for a National Airline Policy – a comprehensive policy that supports the integral role the domestic airline industry plays in connecting people and goods globally, spurs economic growth and creates more high-paying U.S. jobs. “A National Airline Policy is good for passengers and shippers, businesses and our economy because it will take a holistic look at what impedes the industry from competing globally, including high taxes, excessive regulation, infrastructure challenges and volatile fuel prices,” said A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. “The U.S. airline industry safely and efficiently transports 2 million customers and 50,000 tons of cargo every day, and is a critical driver of the U.S. economy, creating $1 trillion in economic activity and 10 million jobs. We can do even more in an environment that recognizes the airlines as a national asset.” Calio, along with airline CEOs, are unveiling the campaign on Capitol Hill this week and continuing to brief legislators on the benefits of a comprehensive policy. The five priorities of the National Airline Policy include: Reduce Taxes: Air travel is taxed at a federal rate that exceeds those on alcohol and tobacco, products that are taxed to discourage use. A National Airline Policy would help keep ticket prices affordable. Reform Regulatory Burden: Airlines are among the most highly regulated deregulated industries. A National Airline Policy would help reform regulations that add unnecessary costs and do not improve safety or the customer experience. Modernize Air Traffic System: The air traffic control system dates back to the 1950s. With the right policies and procedures in place, U.S. airlines could reduce flight delays, missed connections and cancellations while lowering fuel burn and related emissions. Compete Globally: U.S. airlines are increasingly competing with foreign carriers that have more favorable tax and regulatory environments. A National Airline Policy would help ensure U.S. carriers can compete and maintain air service to smaller communities and invest in new aircraft. Stabilize Energy Prices: Fuel is the largest expense for airlines, and prices are high and volatile. A National Airline Policy would support a balanced and comprehensive national energy policy. To coincide with the launch, A4A is running a series of advertisements at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport during the holiday season. In addition, A4A is gathering initial support by encouraging its network of advocates and airline employees to visit the campaign's website – NationalAirlinePolicy.com – to sign the petition, as thousands already have. Interested parties can also follow the campaign on Facebook at facebook.com/nationalairlinepolicy, Twitter at twitter.com/natl_air_policy and Google+ at http://bit.ly/Xi4PGg. Throughout 2013, A4A will be building a coalition of state and local organizations, businesses and others to support the priorities of the Policy. A4A will be promoting the campaign to the traveling public via social media campaigns, earned media placements, and print, digital and mobile advertising. ABOUT A4A Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. ### PubZone2	A4A members and affiliates transport more than 90 percent of U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic.