Developing countries

Air transport supports 61 million jobs and $1.3 trillion in GDP in developing countries. That is 2.3% of all employment and 2.8% of all GDP in developing countries in 2023.

The aviation sector generated an estimated 5.5 million direct jobs in developing countries in 2023, which breaks down into:

  • Airlines: 1.9 million (33% of the total)
  • Airport operators:370,000 (7%)
  • Other on-airport: 2.4 million (42%)
  • Civil aerospace: 850,000 (15%)
  • Air navigation service providers: 120,000 (2%)

In 2023 the air transport sector directly generated a $270 billion contribution to GDP.