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 - Passenger

Security section: passengers at a security checkpoint

>>Passenger Security

The safety and security of our customers and crew is the top priority for A4A and its member airlines. A4A member airlines work with the Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration and Customs and Border Protection on programs to implement security requirements effectively and efficiently to maximize the security benefits and minimize passenger/shipper inconvenience. This section provides information on passenger security-related programs.

TSA Heightened Security Measures

The Transportation Security Administration is currently requiring enhanced security measures for all flights departing from non-U.S. locations to the United States.

TSA Secure Flight Program

Passenger information related to the Transportation Security Administration Secure Flight Program.

A4A Urges More TSA Efficiency, Not More Passenger Taxes (3/22/2012)
A4A today called on Congress to consider further efficiency within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – not further taxes on airline passengers as proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.

A4A Testimony by Tom Hendricks, SVP for Safety, Security and Operations Before the Subcommittee on Homeland Security, Senate Appropriations Committee (3/21/2012)
A4A emphasized the importance of travel to the U.S. economy, urging the adoption of a national travel-and-tourism strategy including visa reform, expansion of the Visa Waiver Program and TSA’s PreCheck program and increased CBP staffing at major airports.

A4A Outlines Path to Grow U.S. Air Travel (3/21/2012)
A4A today outlined recommendations to the U.S. government for improving security and immigration as a way to boost travel and tourism to and within the United States.

A4A, ALPA Set to Expand Known Crewmember Program (2/15/2012)
A4A and the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) today announced their intent to expand the Known Crewmember program to more U.S. airports in 2012, following a successfully completed test of the risk-based security program at seven hub airports.

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

Remarks to the Aero Club of Washington (10/18/2011)
Remarks to the Aero Club of Washington

Nearly 10,000 Airline Job Cuts Likely If Taxes Imposed (10/4/2011)
ATA today warned that nearly 10,000 airline industry jobs could be cut within one year if two new proposed passenger security and airline departure taxes are implemented.

Enhanced Airline Pilot Security Screening Takes Off at Chicago O’Hare (8/9/2011)
ATA and ALPA today began operating the first test site for the Known Crewmember program at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

ATA Commends TSA Known-Traveler Pilot Program (7/14/2011)
ATA praised the TSA for launching a known-traveler program, and expressed its commitment to partner with the TSA in the coming months on the test program for a new, expedited screening protocol for select airline passengers.

ATA Opposes Proposed Increase in Passenger Taxes (7/14/2011)
ATA called on lawmakers to drop proposals to increase aviation passenger taxes to address the national debt limit.

1 - 10

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

What the Experts Say:

“Airlines are committed to building on [its] record operational performance and delivering an even better customer experience through passenger feedback and coordination with other industry stakeholders.”
Steve Lott, vice president of communications, A4A

USA Today

05/07/2012