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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 Coalition Letters

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​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. 

Coalition of Trade Associations Provide Comments on PHMSA's Lithium Battery Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (5/14/2012)
Coalition of trade associations provide comments on PHMSA's April 11, 2012 HM-224F lithium battery notice of proposed rulemaking expressing support to harmonize US hazardous material regulations.
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.
Coalition Letter to Secretary LaHood Regarding Global Distribution Systems (GDS) (4/20/2012)
A Coalition of the commercial scheduled passenger airlines write to Secretary LaHood to express concern regarding the DOT mandate that airlines serving the U.S. distribute all content and services through GDSs.
A4A and This Coalition of Travel Industry Leaders Thank Secretaries Clinton and LaHood for Their Opposition to the EU European Trading Scheme (1/24/2012)
A4A and coalition of airline and travel associations than Secretaries Clinton & LaHood for their support in opposing the EU Emissions Trading Scheme
EU ETS Coalition Letter to Congress (12/7/2011)
We write to urge you to support the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011.
Opposition to an increase in the U.K. Air Passenger Duty (11/7/2011)
We are writing to you to urge the U.K. Government to abandon plans to increase the Air Duty Passenger (APD) tax rate again and instead to begin a progressive reduction of this burdensome tax.
Coalition Letter Supporting HR 2594, “The European Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011” (10/24/2011)
A coalition of aviation, labor and travel associations urge members of congress to support The European Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011 to protect American jobs
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A4A advocates measures to support aviation safety, security and well-being.

What the Experts Say:
"The airline sector alone could save as much as $9.8 billion annually if Wall Street speculation is curbed."
Bart Chilton, commissioner, CFTC

​New York Post

03/07/2012
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