The aviation industry connects the world in a unique way, adding immense value to the global economy. It supports $4.1 trillion in world economic activity (3.9% of global gross domestic product). This section provides a global picture of the economic activity supported by aviation.
Adding value to the economy
$1.1 trillion direct GDP
The world’s airlines carry 4.4 billion passengers each year and 61.4 million tonnes of freight. Providing these services creates 11.6 million direct jobs and contributes $1.1 trillion to global GDP.
The global air transport industry is comparable in size to the global motor vehicle manufacturing sector. In fact, if air transport were a country, it would rank 20th in the world by GDP, similar to Saudi Arabia.
$1.2 trillion indirect GDP
These include jobs and services of suppliers to the air transport industry, such as aviation fuel suppliers; construction companies, suppliers of sub-components used in aircraft, manufacturers of goods sold in airports, and a wide variety of business services, such as call centres, IT and accountancy. These indirect activities contributed approximately $1.2 trillion to global GDP.
$917.4 billion induced GDP
Around $917.4 billion induced GDP is created by employees in the air transport industry using their income to purchase goods and services for their own consumption.
The spending of those directly or indirectly employed in the air transport sector supports jobs in industries ranging from retail and manufacturing to banking and hospitality.
$967.8 billion in aviation-enabled tourism GDP
Tourism is fast becoming one of the world’s largest industries and air transport is essential to this: over half of all international tourists fly to their destinations. Analysis suggests that aviation supports $967.8 billion in economic activity within the tourism industry.