Debunking Aviation’s Environmental Myths

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

	Debunking Aviation’s Environmental Myths
	PubZone1 Airlines for America (A4A) member airlines have an exceptional environmental track record that is often overlooked or misstated. Today, our airplanes are quieter, cleaner and use less fuel than ever, and we also fly them smarter. Despite data that demonstrate that the U.S. airlines contribute only a small percentage of emissions and have instituted programs that have continually resulted in fuel and emissions savings, many myths and inaccuracies exist about aviation’s environmental impact. Let’s set the record straight. Myth: U.S. commercial aviation contributes significantly to U.S. and global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, in greater amounts than in other transportation industries. Fact: U.S. commercial aviation is a small contributor of GHGs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. commercial airlines contribute just 2 percent of domestic GHG emissions – much less than the 25 percent produced by the balance of the transportation industry. Globally, aviation accounts for just 3 percent of total GHG emissions and just 2 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Given that commercial airlines drive almost three times as much economic output, the airlines are highly GHG-efficient economic engines. Even so, U.S. airlines and their counterparts worldwide have achieved continual GHG efficiency improvements – a trend they are committed to continuing. Myth: The increasing demand for air travel will result in aviation becoming one of the largest contributors of GHG emissions. Fact: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects that commercial airlines will remain a relatively small GHG emitter, even with expected growth. In fact, the IPCC, which is the recognized expert on GHGs and climate change, projects that under the most likely scenario, aviation’s growth will cause CO2 emissions to grow to just 3 percent of total global CO2 emissions and 5 percent of all GHGs by 2050. Notably, however, aviation’s tremendous record of carbon efficiency continues to improve. In fact, aviation’s fuel efficiency globally has improved by 70 percent since the 1970s, allowing for more movement of both passengers and cargo with less fuel burn and resulting emissions. U.S. airlines have done even better, improving their own fuel efficiency by over 120 percent between 1978 and 2012. Myth: GHG emissions released at high altitudes have a more significant warming effect than if released on the ground. Fact: CO2 emissions, which are considered the most significant GHG, have no greater effect when emitted in the air than when emitted on the ground. Other emissions, such as oxides of nitrogen, can have both warming and cooling effects. While water vapor can create contrails (as smoke was long ago eliminated from commercial aircraft exhaust, what you sometimes see behind an aircraft in flight is a water vapor stream, known as a contrail), it only creates a warming effect in certain weather conditions and, even then, this dissipates in minutes or hours. Further, when planes cruise longer at higher altitudes, they increase fuel efficiency, thus emitting fewer GHGs. Myth: Airlines have not taken any steps to address their GHG emissions. Fact: Long before climate change was an international concern, the U.S. airlines were committed to reducing energy consumption, and therefore resulting GHG emissions. The U.S. airlines improved their fuel efficiency by 120 percent between 1978 and 2012, resulting in 3.4 billion metric tons of CO2 savings – roughly equivalent to taking more than 22 million cars off the road each year. Joining the world’s airlines in a commitment to achieve an additional 1.5 percent annual average fuel efficiency improvement through 2020, and to render any growth emissions “carbon neutral” thereafter, the U.S. airlines are spending tens of billions of dollars to upgrade fleets, implement cutting-edge technology, implement new cruising and approach procedures, and fly more direct routes. consumption, and therefore resulting GHG emissions. The U.S. airlines improved their fuel efficiency by 120 percent between 1978 and 2011, resulting in 3.3 billion metric tons of CO2 savings – roughly equivalent to taking more than 22 million cars off the road each year. Joining the world’s airlines in a commitment to achieve an additional 1.5 percent annual average fuel efficiency improvement through 2020, and to render any growth emissions “carbon neutral” thereafter, the U.S. airlines are spending tens of billions of dollars to upgrade fleets, implement cutting-edge technology, implement new cruising and approach procedures, and fly more direct routes. Myth: Commercial airlines are not subject to emissions regulations. Fact: There are many, varied regulations that constrain aviation emissions. Practically all aviation emission sources are independently regulated through equipment-specific regulations, standards and recommended practices, and operational guidelines that are established by a variety of organizations. For example, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification is required for essentially all aviation equipment and processes. This confirms adherence to the Fuel Venting and Exhaust Emission Requirements and EPA aircraft exhaust emission standards, which cover carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and smoke. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United Nations body responsible for worldwide planning, implementation and coordination of civil aviation, sets emission standards for jet engines. These are the basis of FAA aircraft-engine performance certification standards, established through EPA regulations. Myth: Emissions trading proposals, such as the climate change cap-and-trade scheme pursued by the European Union or outlined in proposed U.S. legislation, will help reduce emissions. Fact: The U.S. airline industry requires no climate change legislation to fly green. Punitive measures, such as proposed emissions trading schemes, stifle the growth of the commercial airlines, compromise environmental progress and, ultimately, will raise prices for consumers. These schemes operate like fuel taxes, draining the aviation sector of financial resources needed for investments into research and development, technology upgrades and innovation. Every cent of increase in the price of a gallon of jet fuel drives an additional $180 million in annual fuel costs for U.S. airlines. Furthermore, these unnecessary financial burdens on aviation increase the cost of flying, leaving consumers to take alternative, less safe, higher emitting modes of transportation. PubZone2	A4A supports a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy and is committed to protecting our planet.