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
U.S. airlines move 50,000 tons of cargo per day
In 2011, the average value of a kilogram of U.S. merchandise exported by air was 117 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
From 2000-2010, U.S. airlines carried 15% more traffic while using 2.1 billion fewer gallons of fuel
Domestically, airlines drive 5% of economic activity but account for 2% of man-made GHG emissions
From 2000-2010, airlines reduced GHG emissions by 10% while transporting 15% more passengers and cargo
From 1975-2010, the number of U.S. residents exposed to significant noise levels fell 95%
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 2000-2010, U.S. airlines improved the on-time arrival rate from 72.6% to 79.8%
From 2000-2010, U.S. airlines halved the flight cancellation rate from 3.30% to 1.76%
Airfares are a bargain: From 2000-2010, U.S. CPI rose 27% while average domestic fare (excl. taxes) rose just 1%
Adjusted for inflation, the average round-trip domestic fare in 2010 fell 21% (from $398 to $316) compared to 2000
2007 domestic flight delays cost the United States approximately $31 billion
In 2011, the value of U.S. merchandise exported by air reached an all-time high of $424B
In 2011, U.S. exports of air-travel services reached an all-time high of $36.7B, driving the largest trade surplus in this category since 1992
In 2011, U.S. passenger and cargo airlines spent $50.5B on fuel, up $11.7B ($32M/day) from 2010
In 2011, U.S. airlines posted the lowest annual rate of mishandled baggage ever recorded
In 2011, U.S. airlines posted the lowest annual rate of involuntary denied boardings ever recorded
In 4Q 2011, U.S. airlines posted the second-lowest quarterly on-time arrival rate ever recorded
FAA projects U.S. air travel demand to top 1 billion passengers in 2024
In 2011, US airlines flew 80 million passengers in scheduled international service- a record high
In 2011, US airlines flew at 241.2 billion revenue passenger miles in scheduled international service- a record high
In 2011, US airlines operated 299.9 billion available seat miles in scheduled international service- a record high

A4A Public Policy Position Papers

Public Policy section: picture of the Capitol dome

A4A advocates on behalf of the airline industry primarily to the U.S. Congress and the agencies within the administration. Our stated priorities include maintaining airline safety; creating an international framework for reducing industry emissions; accelerating modernization of the air traffic control system; and reducing government taxes on airlines. A4A also has been very involved in promoting fuel efficiency and alternative-fuel development. This section includes policy position papers on issues important to the airline industry.

A4A Urges More TSA Efficiency, Not More Passenger Taxes (3/22/2012)
A4A today called on Congress to consider further efficiency within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – not further taxes on airline passengers as proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

A4A Urges Holistic Approach to Tax, Regulatory Challenges (3/19/2012)
A4A today called on the U.S. government to reform federal taxes and regulations to enable U.S. airlines to compete globally on a level playing field and help grow the country’s economy.

Stop the European Union from Unilaterally Applying a Cap-and-Trade Tax to U.S. Airlines and Passengers (3/15/2012)
On January 1st, the EU imposed a cap and trade tax on U.S. airlines’ flights to and from Europe, despite the industry’s record of emissions savings. The U.S. government has stated it strong opposition to this tax and needs to take steps to overturn it.

U.S. Airlines Post Lower Earnings in 2011 Due to Rising Costs (2/28/2012)
A4A today announced that the largest U.S. airlines earned a combined $390 million in 2011 or less than half a penny on every $1 of revenue generated for the year and that this underscores the need for a National Airline Policy.

The Case for a National Airline Policy - U.S. Airlines Economic Review (12/1/2011)
Airline for America (A4A) supports the adoption of a strong national airline policy, to restore and enhance U.S. airline industry viability, and enable airlines to increase air service.

The Case for a National Airline Policy (12/1/2011)
Airline for America (A4A) supports the adoption of a strong national airline policy, to restore and enhance U.S. airline industry viability, and enable airlines to increase air service.

Safety (12/1/2011)
Safety is the number-one priority of America’s airlines, and air travel continues to be the world’s safest mode of transportation.

Taxes and Fees (12/1/2011)
A vibrant U.S. airline industry is critical to U.S. economic growth and global competitiveness. Over the years, the government has imposed a growing burden of taxes and fees on aviation, travelers and shippers.

Environment (12/1/2011)
Airlines for America (A4A) member airlines have a strong record of environmental protection and are committed to continual environmental improvement in all areas.

A4A advocates measures to support aviation safety, security and well-being.

What the Experts Say:

“[EU ETS] should be taken care of by now. It is affecting the revenue streams and the balance sheets of the carriers that contribute a tremendous amount to the national economy.”

Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa), House of Representatives

Aviation Daily

05/02/2012