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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 Letter on the DHS Announcement of the New Airport Security Measures (4/6/2010)
ATA CEO Jim May writes to Chairman Inouye to express concern about the new airport security measures for non U.S. locations announced by the Department of Homeland Security. ATA believes that the measures need to be adapted to recognize the federal...
ATA Letter to Sen Lieberman on the Aviation Passenger Security Fee (2/25/2010)
ATA writes Senator Lieberman, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, to express concern over his support of the administration’s proposal to increase the aviation passenger security fee. ATA believes homeland security is a national defense...
ATA Letter to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Section 201 of HR 4016 (11/18/2009)
While ATA appreciated the opportunity to testify at the November 16 hearing regarding H.R. 4016, we, and our member airlines, maintain that the enactment of Section 201 of the bill is not warranted at this time.
ATA Letter to Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee On U.S.-VISIT (11/13/2009)
ATA writes the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee requesting reconsideration of its pre-September 11 mandate to implement a US-VISIT Exit regime if it will only be implemented in the air environment and not at land border crossings.
ATA writes EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes urging DG-Competition to approve the three international airline alliances: oneworld, SkyTeam and Star (11/4/2009)
ATA voices concerns regarding H.R. 4016, the "Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Act of 2009" to the leadership of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
ATA Letter to Air Cargo Shippers regarding Air Cargo Screening Mandate and the TSA Certified Cargo Screening Program (9/8/2009)
ATA letter to air cargo shippers regarding the congressionally mandated August 2010 deadline for 100 percent screening of all cargo on passenger planes, and outlining ATA support for the TSA Certified Cargo Screening Program.
ATA Letter to House Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Addressing Registered Traveler (7/31/2007)
ATA states its concerns regarding the Registered Traveler Program in a letter to the members of the House Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee.
ATA Letter to Senate and House Homeland Security Leaders Addressing 9-11 Commission Recommendation Act of 2007 (5/22/2007)
ATA states its position on four sections of the legislation being considered to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations.
ATA Urges Congress to Support DHS Exploration of Alternative Counter-MANPADS Technologies (4/25/2006)
ATA sent a letter to House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, urging that he not support ongoing efforts by DIRCM Counter-MANPADS vendors seeking additional funding for deployment of their technology aboard commercial...

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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