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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

Public Policy A4A Letters

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PubZone1
A4A corresponds frequently with government entities. Here you will find letters that A4A has sent on behalf of our members.  At select times, A4A joins with other organizations when we share a common advocacy interest. This section includes coalition letters that A4A was a party to on a variety of issues.

A4A Writes the FAA to Discuss the Fuel Tank Flammability Reduction Means (FRM) Rule. (4/13/2012)
A4A has notified FAA of a significant delay in the availability of service instructions that operators need to start retrofitting fuel tank inerting kits, and has asked FAA to extend the regulatory deadlines for retrofitting kits.
A4A Commends FAA Modernization and Reform Act (2/6/2012)
A4A today commended Congress for its bipartisan leadership in passing the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012.
A4A Letter to The Senate in Support of FAA Reauthorization (2/3/2012)
A4A CEO Nick Calio commends the US Senate for coming to an agreement on the FAA reauthorization bill
A4A Letter to The House of Representatives in Support of FAA Reauthorization (2/2/2012)
A4A CEO Nick Calio commends Congress for coming to an agreement on the FAA reauthorization bill
A4A Thanks Congressman Reid Ribble for Introducing the Regulatory Moratorium and Jobs Preservation Act of 2011 (1/17/2012)
A4A writes Congressman Ribble in support of H.R. 2898, a bill that will help promote the economic viability competitiveness of the aviation industry.
ATA Letter to Sens. Murray and Hensarling Opposing Increase in PFC Tax (11/10/2011)
A4A CEO Nick Calio letter opposing PFC tax increase
ATA Letter Urging Rejection of Increase in Passenger Security Tax (11/2/2011)
CEO Nick Calio outlines A4A position on increase in passenger security tax.
ATA Supports Initiatives and Policies To Help Reduce Greenhouse Gases at a Global Level (5/18/2011)
ATA responds to allegations of being "anti-environment" by restating our commitment to a global solution for greenhouse gas reduction.
The Price of Jet Fuel and Its Impact on U.S. Airlines (3/9/2011)
ATA Vice President and Chief Economist John Heimlich comments on the impact of jet fuel prices.
ATA Writes Congress About the U.S. Government Subsidizing Rich Foreign Airlines (10/19/2010)
ATA CEO Jim May writes Congress to follow up on a previous letter discussing the harm government subsidies of overseas competitors do to U.S. airlines.
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PubZone2
A4A advocates measures to support aviation safety, security and well-being.

What the Experts Say:
“It makes absolutely no sense at a time when we should be encouraging economic and business development enabled by travel and tourism, that we would discourage flying by trying to balance the budget on the backs of airline customers with yet another tax.”
Nicholas E. Calio, president and CEO, A4A

​A4A press release

02/13/2012
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