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  • 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

 Public Policy A4A Letters

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PubZone1
A4A corresponds frequently with government entities. Here you will find letters that A4A has sent on behalf of our members.  At select times, A4A joins with other organizations when we share a common advocacy interest. This section includes coalition letters that A4A was a party to on a variety of issues.

ATA Supports Initiatives and Policies To Help Reduce Greenhouse Gases at a Global Level (5/18/2011)
ATA responds to allegations of being "anti-environment" by restating our commitment to a global solution for greenhouse gas reduction.
ATA Writes Senate Leadership in Support of Measures that Support the Advancement of Biofuels in the Upcoming Energy Bill (7/20/2010)
ATA CEO Jim May writes Senate Finance leadership to voice strong support for a comprehensive tax package that advances biofuels in the upcoming energy bill.
ATA Letter on DOD Pursuit of Contracting Authority for Alternative Fuels (5/25/2010)
ATA CEO Jim May writes Congressional leadership in support of the Department of Defense's pursuit of long-term contracting authority for alternative fuels and renewable energy.
ATA Comments on the Introduction of the American Power Act (5/13/2010)
ATA writes to Senate climate change leadership to express concern regarding the American Power Act's failure to recognize the unique commitment that the aviation sector is willing to make to reduce our emissions without destroying jobs.
ATA Letter on the 'Wall Street Transparency and Accountability Act of 2010' (4/16/2010)
ATA CEO Jim May thanks Chairman Blanche Lincoln for introducing aggressive legislation that will limit manipulation and unchecked speculation in the commodity futures markets.
ATA Letter to Senator Boxer on Cap and Trade (7/14/2009)
For many years, you have been voicing concerns about the impacts that human activity is having on the world’s climate through the release of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, and have long advocated federal action to address this importan...
ATA Voices Concerns to Speaker Pelosi Regarding Cap and Trade Legislation (6/25/2009)
ATA opposition to the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade legislation, which would impose an exorbitant tax on aviation and undermine the airlines’ initiatives to continue their strong record of fuel and greenhouse gas efficiency.
A Letter to Vice President Biden on the H1N1 Flu Outbreak (4/30/2009)
ATA assures that the airlines have been working daily with the cadre of government agencies to respond to the outbreak and all appropriate actions are being carried out.
ATA Letter to Support H.R. 6604 as a First Step to Curtail Excessive Speculation (9/18/2008)
ATA expresses support of H.R. 6604. While there is more that needs to be done to curtail excessive speculation, this legislation offers an important first step. Congress must not adjourn, yet again, without taking any action to impose reasonable limits.
ATA Letter to Minority Leader Boehner - Support HR 3089 - Increase Access to Domestic Reserves and Incentivize Refinery Development (6/24/2008)
Amidst rising fuel prices, ATA writes Minority Leader John Boehner in support of HR 3089. Legislation aimed at unlocking additional crude oil volumes will help address skyrocketing energy prices.
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PubZone2
A4A advocates measures to support aviation safety, security and well-being.

What the Experts Say:
“It makes absolutely no sense at a time when we should be encouraging economic and business development enabled by travel and tourism, that we would discourage flying by trying to balance the budget on the backs of airline customers with yet another tax.”
Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO, A4A

​A4A press release

02/13/2012
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