Quick Facts

• In the past three decades air transport demand grew 700%, more than double the 300% GDP expansion.

• A European study showed that a 10% rise in airline flight connectivity supported a 1.1% increase in long-term GDP.
• The creation of a Single European Aviation Market in 1993 saw traffic double by 2005. This generated 1.4m new jobs.
• The liberalization of the banking industry led to a 26% fall in the number of EU banks from 1990-1997, resulting in a stronger European banking sector.
• The top 10 airlines have a market share of about one third of a $450bn industry.
• The top 10 auto manufacturers account for 75% of a $2 trillion industry. Consumers are well served by a consolidated car industry. There is nothing to fear from liberalization or consolidation of air transport.

Source: IATA Economics / Airlines International