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

Environment

A4A member airlines have a strong record of environmental protection and are committed to continual environmental improvement in all areas. A4A member airlines are dedicating hundreds of billions of dollars to the purchase of new, fuel-efficient aircraft, developing alternative fuels and improving operational performance, which will further reduce aircraft emissions and noise.

Climate Change

A4A member airlines have a long-standing commitment to improving fuel efficiency and, therefore, reducing their carbon footprint. Today, U.S. airlines carry more traffic per gallon of jet fuel than ever before. From 1978 to 2010, U.S. airlines improved fuel efficiency by over 115 percent, which has resulted in significant reductions of carbon dioxide (CO2). The A4A member airlines continue their strong commitment to protecting the environment, improving efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our commitment supports a global sectoral approach to aviation climate change policy under the International Civil Aviation Organization, and promotes critical technology, air traffic management, energy and infrastructure advances.

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.

Noise

A4A airlines have a strong record of addressing noise concerns. Today, commercial aircraft are more than six times quieter than they were 40 years ago. FAA data confirm that, since 1975, there has been a 95 percent reduction in the number of people exposed to significant aircraft noise in the United States while the number of passengers our airlines have transported has tripled. Information about aircraft noise, noise regulations and technological advancements are included in this section.

Water Quality

A4A airlines are committed to protecting the environment in every aspect of their operations, including water quality concerns associated with deicing and stormwater runoff. That includes working with airports staff, who also have a responsibility for clearing and deicing runway/taxiway surfaces and addressing associated environmental concerns, to ensure that stormwater does not adversely impact nearby rivers, streams and lakes. Related information is included in this section.

Local Air Quality

Aircraft emissions are controlled through stringent emission limits on aircraft engines. U.S. airlines constantly strive to reduce their carbon footprint and, compared to other modes of transportation, commercial aviation results in significantly less overall emissions. Through emission limits, infrastructure and operational improvements, and ground support equipment, A4A members continue to address the local air quality impacts of aviation. This section includes information on air quality initiatives.

Recycling and Additional Environmental Initiatives

This section includes additional environmental information and related programs, including our members’ environmental management practices, fuel management, airline recycling programs, aircraft drinking water and more.

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.

Aviation Associations Commend EPA Recognition of Industry Voluntary Pollution-Reduction Program (4/30/2012)
A4A, ACI-NA, AAAE and RAA today commended the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for finalizing new aircraft deicing regulations that recognize and build on the industry’s strong safety and environmental record while recognizing its unique operations.

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 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.

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.

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.

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A4A supports a truly comprehensive, meaningfully balanced U.S. energy policy and is committed to protecting our planet.