Air Traffic Control Modernization and The Environment

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 13%
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

	Air Traffic Control Modernization and The Environment
	PubZone1 Modernization of our nation’s outdated, 1950s radar-based air traffic control (ATC) system is sorely needed. Not only will transitioning to a satellite-based system better accommodate air passengers and cargo, but it also will reduce ATC delays and inefficiencies that cause unnecessary fuel burn and emissions. To address these urgent needs, Airlines for America (A4A) and our member airlines are working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other agencies on a fundamental redesign of the ATC system through the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) project and various regional airspace design initiatives while, in the meantime, seeking every efficiency we can within the current system. Studies show that modernizing the ATC system by using satellite-based navigation technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by between 10 and 15 percent. ATC modernization will allow for more direct routings and will reduce delays, thereby decreasing aircraft fuel burn and resulting emissions. The use of satellites also will greatly expand the airlines’ ability to use innovative navigation procedures that allow pilots to fly more precise paths into airports under reduced thrust, further minimizing the environmental impact of the flights. Additionally, the NextGen project will spur the development and integration of promising improvements in engine and airframe technologies to further enhance aircraft fuel efficiency and will promote further research into alternative aviation fuels. Our member airlines are pursuing every efficiency within the existing ATC system while supporting investments in research and development. A4A member airlines have joined the world’s airlines in committing to improving their fuel efficiency 1.5 percent annually through 2020. A4A airlines are working to implement additional procedures to optimize operations in the air and on the ground to save fuel costs and minimize emissions. Examples include implementation of “continuous descent approach” and “required navigation performance” procedures, satellite tracking technology, single-engine taxiing and electric gate power. A4A is a co-founder and active supporter of the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI), which is working to hasten the production and use of more environmentally friendly jet fuel. CAAFI gained approval of a 50 percent synthetic fuel in 2009, and seeks approval of bio-jet blends by the end of 2010 and 100 percent bio-jet fuels by 2013. A4A carriers have committed to employ only those alternative fuels that are more environmentally friendly than today’s jet fuel. In addition to spending tens of billions of dollars to replace aircraft with new, more fuel-efficient models, the airlines continue to invest billions of dollars more in new engines, airframes, winglets, fan blades and other design features that improve efficiency. 21st Century Aviation A4A supports accelerating ATC modernization through NowGen, a national campaign for overhauling the U.S. ATC system and its funding mechanisms. The initiative is aimed at motivating congressional and White House action to realize the environmental and other benefits that this system overhaul and airspace redesign initiative can bring. For more information on the A4A vision for 21st century aviation, visit www.airlines.org/Pages/Policy-Paper-Environment.aspx. PubZone2	A4A supports a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy and is committed to protecting our planet.