Asia-Pacific economies through air travel

Geneva – Over 24 million jobs and $470 billion in GDP in the Asia-Pacific region are
supported by aviation, according to a new report released today at the Aviation and Environment
Summit in Geneva. The report, Aviation: benefits beyond borders, was produced by the Air Transport
Action Group (ATAG) and Oxford Economics. It outlines an industry that plays a larger role in both
the Asia-Pacific and global economy than many would expect.

“In the Asia-Pacific region alone aviation directly employs over two million people,” says Paul Steele,
Executive Director of ATAG, the global association that represents air transport. “If we include
indirect employment at suppliers to the industry, induced employment from spending by aviation
industry employees and the jobs in tourism that air transport makes possible, this increases the
regional figure to 24.1 million jobs. In addition, Asia Pacific economies derive substantial benefits
from the spending of tourists travelling by air.

“Of course, aviation’s economic benefits spread far beyond the monetary aspects outlined here.
When you take into account the further benefits gained through the speed and reliability of air travel,
the businesses that exist because air freight makes them possible and the intrinsic value to the
economy of improved connectivity, the economic impact would be several times larger,” adds Steele.
For Asia-Pacific forecasts indicate that passenger numbers are expected to almost triple from 779.6
million in 2010 to over 2.2 billion in 2030. Meanwhile, cargo volumes are projected to rise at a similar
rate of 6.3% per annum. The report, available at www.aviationbenefitsbeyondborders.org, also
outlined the role aviation plays at a global level, supporting 56.6 million jobs worldwide and $2.2
trillion of the world’s GDP. There are some 1,500 commercial airlines using nearly 24,000 aircraft to
serve 3,800 airports around the globe.

Andrew Herdman, Director General of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) adds: “Aviation
plays a critically important role in fostering successful economic and social development, particularly
here in Asia. This report highlights the fact that the Asia-Pacific region already accounts for 34% of
passenger traffic worldwide, ahead of both Europe and North America (27% each), led by dynamic
growth in the major emerging economies. Looking ahead, the Oxford Economics analysis suggests
further growth can provide an additional 1.4 million jobs in aviation across the region by 2030 – and if
you include the tourism benefits, up to 4.6 million jobs.”

“While we are now the largest region in the world for passengers, the existing and projected growth
in demand for air transport services will require a renewed focus on infrastructure development,”
says Patti Chau, Regional Director of Airports Council International Asia-Pacific. “Any development
needs to happen in a strategic and sustainable way that benefits the communities we serve, the
economy and also ensures limited impact on our precious environment.”