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

Customers - Cargo

>>Cargo

Cargo refers to anything other than passengers, carried for hire, including both mail and freight. This section provides policy and regulatory information related to air cargo topics such as hazardous cargo, U.S. mail and other items. Also included are useful links to government agencies that regulate air cargo, common cargo terms and definitions, and other resources that provide information about air cargo.

Helpful Links to Government Agencies

Links to government resources related to various rules and regulations that apply to air cargo.

A4A Says White House Budget Proposal Would Offset Deficit on Backs of Airline Customers (2/13/2012)
A4A said the White House budget proposal to offset the deficit on the backs of airline customers by adding even more tax increases, would impact demand for air travel and ultimately cost jobs and service to communities.

Airlines for America (A4A) Names Elizabeth Shaver Director, Cargo Services (12/7/2011)
In this new role, she will oversee cargo functions at Airlines for America, coordinate with the association’s members, and serve as a liaison to various cargo and customs functions within U.S. and foreign governments.

U.S. Passenger and Cargo Airline Fleet (10/27/2011)
U.S. Passenger and Cargo Airline Fleet

Annual and Per-Minute Cost of Delays to U.S. Airlines (10/18/2011)
Estimated cost of delays per minute of block time, relative to schedule

Price of Air Travel Versus Other Goods and Services (10/17/2011)
Change in prices of U.S. goods and services since 1978

Oliver Wyman Report: Estimated Job Loss Resulting from Increases in Airline Security/Departure Taxes (9/28/2011)
Oliver Wyman estimates job loss as a result of the White House proposal to increase taxes paid by airlines and their customers.

ATA Statement on the TSA Security Directive Regarding Air Transport of Printer and Toner Cartridges (11/8/2010)
ATA comments on the new TSA directive, which prohibits transportation of printer and toner cartridges weighing 16 ounces or more on domestic or international flights to or from the United States.

TSA Letter to Air Cargo Supply Chain Stakeholders (5/24/2010)
TSA Explains Changes to 2010 Cargo Screening Requirements

ATA Reports Decline in November Passenger Demand, October Cargo Traffic (12/18/2009)
ATA today reported that passenger revenue, based on a sample group of carriers, fell 7 percent in November 2009 versus the same month in 2008. This marks the 13th consecutive month in which passenger revenue has declined from the prior year, fueled primar

ATA Reports Decline in October Passenger Demand, September Cargo Traffic (11/20/2009)
ATA reported that passenger revenue, based on a sample group of carriers, fell 15 percent in October 2009 as compared to the same month in 2008.

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The U.S. aviation system is the largest and most extensive aviation system in the world.

What the Experts Say:

"If U.S. airlines are able to operate in an environment that is conducive to international expansion, the carriers will be able to add service, jobs and further drive overall economic growth of the country”
Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO, Air Transport Association

A4A News Release

09/26/2011