Air transport supports 2 million jobs and $46 billion in GDP in small island states. That is 8.7% of all employment and 12.8% of all GDP in the small island states in 2023.
Small island states
The air transport industry generated an estimated 54,000 direct jobs in the small island states in 2023, which breaks down into:
- Airline employees: 21,000 (38% of the total)
- Airport operators: 4,900 (9%)
- Other on-airport jobs: 25,000 (47%)
- Air navigation service providers: 3,000 (6%)
Moreover, substantial benefits derived from tourist spending which has added an estimated 1.7 million to employment and $40 billion in GDP.