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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

  • 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

Energy

Plane flying over a field

PubZone1
Airlines for America (A4A) supports a balanced and comprehensive national energy policy that increases U.S. energy independence, is climate-friendly, and results in more predictable and stable energy supply and costs.

Overview
As airlines are constantly affected by fuel-related challenges, Airlines for America (A4A) supports a balanced and comprehensive national energy policy that enhances U.S. energy security and results in more predictable and stable energy supply and costs. Whether tackling the volatile price of jet fuel, pursuing environmentally preferred alternatives or managing persistent operational disruptions to supply, A4A member airlines must vigilantly cope with the dynamics of global energy markets.

Fuel 101
U.S. airlines are constantly affected by fuel-related challenges. Whether tackling the volatile price of jet fuel, pursuing environmentally friendly alternatives, or managing persistent operational disruptions to supply, A4A member airlines must vigilantly cope with the dynamics of global energy markets. In addition to physical measures, A4A strongly advocates reform of energy futures trading. This section documents the journey of jet fuel from the well to the wing of the aircraft and its significant impact on airline finances and operations.
 
Fuel Prices
This section includes historical statistics on oil and jet fuel prices, as well as airline industry consumption, expenses and fuel efficiency.
 
Energy Futures Trading 
A4A is a founding member and strong supporter of the Stop Oil Speculation Now effort, learn more and join.
 
Alternative Aviation Fuels
A4A and our member airlines are working hard to stimulate the development and deployment of commercially viable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels. A4A co-founded the Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI) in 2006 to hasten the production and use of more economically viable, operationally reliable, environmentally friendly alternative fuels. This section includes frequently asked questions about alternative fuels, news releases and background information about the A4A commitment to the pursuit of alternative fuels.


Coalition letter to the Defense Subcommittee to urge their support to fund production of biofuels for use in the military (5/10/2012)
A4A and associations in energy and biofuels urge the House and Senate Defense Subcommittees to support funding to accelerate the production of American-made, biofuels for use in military jets, ships and vehicles.
This coalition urges House and Senate House Armed Services leadership to support funding for biofuels for the military (5/10/2012)
A4A and associations in energy and biofuels urge the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to support funding to accelerate the production of American-made, biofuels for use in military jets, ships and vehicles.
Coalition Letter to Senators Inouye and Cochran Requesting Funds for the Defense Production Act (DPA) Fund (4/25/2012)
This Coalition is writing the Appropriations Committee to urge the inclusion of language that would allow the DOE to transfer funds to the DFA fund. These funds would help develop alternative fuels to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
A4A and Energy Institute (EI) Forge Partnership (3/29/2012)
A4A and EI today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperatively develop global aviation fuel-handling standards.
A4A EU ETS Lawsuit Defines Clear Path for Government Action (3/27/2012)
A4A today appropriately ended its private lawsuit against the EU ETS and urged the administration to accelerate its work to reverse this unilateral tax.
A4A Commends DOT Secretary LaHood for Leadership In Fighting the EU ETS (3/9/2012)
A4A today commended DOT Secretary Ray LaHood for his unwavering support and efforts to overturn the application of the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to U.S. airlines and aircraft operators.
A4A Commends Bipartisan Support of Senate EU ETS Bill (3/7/2012)
A4A today commended Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) for co-sponsoring a bill that would prohibit U.S. aircraft operators from participating in EU ETS because the scheme violates U.S. sovereignty and international law.
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.
A4A, Boeing Recommend Path to Accelerate Commercial Viability of Aviation Biofuels (1/30/2012)
A4A and Boeing today released several recommendations to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accelerate the commercial viability and deployment of aviation biofuels.
Energy Futures Trading (12/1/2011)
A4A is a founding member and strong supporter of the Stop Oil Speculation Now effort, learn more and join.
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A4A supports a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy and is committed to protecting our planet.

Related Links
Bloomberg Energy Prices
CAAFI
CFTC
Consumer Energy Alliance
DOE: Energy Sources
Energy Info Administration
FAA Environment and Energy R&D
FERC
Stop Oil Speculation Now
Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Airline Handbook Chapter 10: Energy and Environmental Matters
Transportation Energy Data
What the Experts Say:
“We hear a lot about the idea of everyone in aviation working together. Well, we’ve all worked together really well on the environment, on promoting research in biofuels, on trying to move forward on things like NextGen, which will make the system more efficient, and on aerodynamic advances. We are working together collectively to do the right thing for the environment.”
Ed Bolen, president and CEO, NBAA

​Aviation International News

05/03/2012
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