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

Security - Other

Security section: passengers at a security checkpoint

>> Other Security

This section refers to other security aspects not addressed in the passenger and cargo sections and may include matters related to airline crews, aircraft maintenance and sterile airport areas.

Known Crewmember (KCM) Program
The Known Crewmember screening system ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables TSA officers to verify identity and employment status of crewmembers.

TSA Law Enforcement Programs

Links to information on the Federal Air Marshal Service, a federal law enforcement agency charged with securing America’s civil aviation system from both criminal and terrorist acts.

Known Crewmember (KCM) Program (12/14/2011)
The Known Crewmember screening system ties airline employee databases together in a seamless way and enables TSA officers to verify identity and employment status of crewmembers.

Airline Handbook Chapter 7: Security (11/6/2011)
Airline Handbook Chapter 7: Security

ATA CEO Nick Calio Testifies before the Senate on the Reauthorization of the TSA (7/12/2011)
ATA supports and strives for a secure aviation system to benefits all Americans. Effective, efficient security is vital to a robust and financially sound U.S. airline industry, making aviation security a core homeland security function.

ATA Pledges Commitment to TSA Targeted, Risk-Based Security Programs (7/12/2011)
ATA expressed its commitment to continue to work cooperatively with the TSA as it works to implement a risk-based security regime and deliver a more efficient and cost-effective system.

Crewmember Identity Verification Program To Begin Testing (4/1/2011)
ALPA and ATA received approval from TSA for testing of a new crewmember screening system.

ATA Testimony by Vice President Basil Barimo before the House Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee on Repair Station Security (11/18/2009)
ATA U.S. airline members have logged an exceptional safety record while expanding their use of contract maintenance. Independent government figures do not support the conclusion that maintenance contracting compromises security or safety in any way.

ATA Letter to Senate and House Homeland Security Leaders Addressing 9-11 Commission Recommendation Act of 2007 (5/22/2007)
ATA states its position on four sections of the legislation being considered to implement the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations.

ATA Statement: Industry Update of Operations (8/11/2006)
ATA reported that airline and airport operations are running smoothly.

ATA Statement on Terror Plot in Britain (8/10/2006)
ATA Statement on Terror Plot in Britain.

ATA Urges Congress to Support DHS Exploration of Alternative Counter-MANPADS Technologies (4/25/2006)
ATA sent a letter to House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, urging that he not support ongoing efforts by DIRCM Counter-MANPADS vendors seeking additional funding for deployment of their technology aboard commercial...

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Airlines collaborate with the government to protect passengers, crew, cargo and aircraft.

What the Experts Say:

"The [Known Crewmember program] recognizes the extensive background checks pilots receive as part of their employment and, importantly, airline pilots’ critical role and responsibility in securing their aircraft each and every time they fly.”
Captain Lee Moak, president, Air Line Pilots Association

A4A News Release

08/16/2011