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

Security - Other

Security section: passengers at a security checkpoint

>> Other Security

This section refers to other security aspects not addressed in the passenger and cargo sections and may include matters related to airline crews, aircraft maintenance and sterile airport areas.

Known Crewmember (KCM) Program
The Known Crewmember screening system ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables TSA officers to verify identity and employment status of crewmembers.

TSA Law Enforcement Programs

Links to information on the Federal Air Marshal Service, a federal law enforcement agency charged with securing America’s civil aviation system from both criminal and terrorist acts.

A4A Commends Bipartisan Effort for Answers on Abu Dhabi Agreement (5/10/2013)
A4A commends a group of bipartisan senators for demanding answers on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) decision to establish a preclearance facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

A4A Launches “Draw the Line Here” Campaign Calling on DHS to Drop Plan for Customs Preclearance Facility in Abu Dhabi (4/12/2013)
A4A today launched a campaign calling on the Department of Homeland Security to drop its plan to provide preclearance U.S. national security services at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

A4A Testimony by Sharon Pinkerton, SVP Legislative & Regulatory Policy, Before the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Transportation Security (4/11/2013)
A4A discussed the need for increasing risk-based security, not TSA taxes.

Known Crewmember (KCM) Program (12/14/2011)
The Known Crewmember screening system ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables TSA officers to verify identity and employment status of crewmembers.

Airline Handbook Chapter 7: Security (11/6/2011)
Airline Handbook Chapter 7: Security

ATA CEO Nick Calio Testifies before the Senate on the Reauthorization of the TSA (7/12/2011)
ATA supports and strives for a secure aviation system to benefits all Americans. Effective, efficient security is vital to a robust and financially sound U.S. airline industry, making aviation security a core homeland security function.

ATA Pledges Commitment to TSA Targeted, Risk-Based Security Programs (7/12/2011)
ATA expressed its commitment to continue to work cooperatively with the TSA as it works to implement a risk-based security regime and deliver a more efficient and cost-effective system.

Crewmember Identity Verification Program To Begin Testing (4/1/2011)
ALPA and ATA received approval from TSA for testing of a new crewmember screening system.

ATA Testimony by Vice President Basil Barimo before the House Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee on Repair Station Security (11/18/2009)
ATA U.S. airline members have logged an exceptional safety record while expanding their use of contract maintenance. Independent government figures do not support the conclusion that maintenance contracting compromises security or safety in any way.

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.

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Airlines collaborate with the government to protect passengers, crew, cargo and aircraft.

What the Experts Say:

"The [Known Crewmember program] recognizes the extensive background checks pilots receive as part of their employment and, importantly, airline pilots’ critical role and responsibility in securing their aircraft each and every time they fly.”
Captain Lee Moak, president, Air Line Pilots Association

A4A News Release

08/16/2011