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
WASHINGTON, November 27, 2012 - Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today announced four additions to its existing communications team.
Vaughn Jennings, a long-time Capitol Hill aide, joins A4A as managing director for government and regulatory communications. Jennings will oversee communications efforts relative to government affairs in addition to regulatory and policy efforts. Previously, he served as press secretary, new media director, and legislative assistant for Rep. John Sullivan (R-OK) and worked closely with the Energy and Commerce Committee on issues ranging from health care to national energy policy. Prior to joining Rep. Sullivan’s staff, Jennings worked as a legislative assistant to then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Jennings will report to Jean Medina, A4A’s senior vice president, communications.
A4A will be expanding its social media and online presence with the addition of two social media managers, Christian Lee and Tressa Mattingly, who will co-manage the effort to increase the visibility and influence of the airline industry through interaction with targeted media and consumer markets. Lee served as director of new media for Judicial Watch and the Meg Whitman for Governor Campaign and Mattingly comes to A4A from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where she was a senior communications specialist, and prior to that was the communications officer at Georgetown University Hospital.
Lanie Lamb is A4A’s new communications coordinator, responsible for day-to-day administration and operational support for the communications team. A former flight attendant for Continental Airlines, she also worked for the National Park Foundation and in the office of Rep. John Boccieri (D-OH).
Lee, Mattingly and Lamb will report to Victoria Day, managing director, corporate and member communications.
A4A President Nicholas E. Calio said the growing team will enable the association to better communicate the industry’s improving performance and advocate for a National Airline Policy that would help reduce taxes, reform the industry’s regulatory burden, stabilize energy prices, modernize the air traffic control system, and importantly enable U.S. airlines to compete globally.
“The airlines are a major force in the U.S. economy, helping create 10 million jobs and drive innovation in the areas of fuel efficiency and reduced environmental impact. Our members are also working hard to provide consumers and shippers with the best possible flying experience through greater choices and consistently improving performance,” Calio said. “Our expanded communications team will be critical to relaying those efforts and connecting the airlines with the customers and markets they serve.”
ABOUT A4A
Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs.
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