Since the beginning of time, people have dreamed of flying. Now, in the twenty-first century, the well-established aviation business has made that once distant aspiration a reality, catering for some 2 billion passengers annually. So why is there so much negative press concerning this topic? It cannot be denied that air travel has undesirable effects but rarely do we hear some of its benefits. In such an intensely debated issue, it is essential that the advantages of flying are presented in order to provide a more balanced perspective.

The main problem with air travel is pollution. However, when you compare aviation to other forms of transportation, some interesting facts emerge. Air transport has very good occupancy rates at around 70%, over twice as high as road or rail. If we contrast fuel efficiency per passenger-kilometre, modern aircrafts are more efficient than compact cars. People sometimes argue that certain aircraft journeys can be avoidable but then again, the same could be said for using other types of transportation. Yet, unlike most other forms of transportation, air travel covers the whole of its infrastructure costs. Government expenditure on roads and rail tend to be higher than tax revenue generated whereas with air travel, it is the other way around, with the industry making a positive contribution to the national treasury, thereby improving the budget position.

Aviation, over the years, has seen some massive improvements. Nowadays, planes are 20 decibels quieter than forty years ago. They are 70% more fuel efficient compared to four decades years ago and waste gases have been reduced by up to 90%. There is a great deal of continuous innovation and progress in air travel with targets to achieve by 2020 including a further: 50% reduction in noise, 50% fuel saving and 80% decrease in different types of waste gases. This constantly improving industry will lessen its burdens upon the environment and is striving to become a greener form of transportation.

The air travel industry is a major employer, generating a total of 29 million jobs worldwide, directly, indirectly and inductively. Examples extend beyond the obvious of pilots, stewards/stewardesses and the people working at the airport, to civil engineers, researchers and construction companies. Productivity levels are very high, at around 65,000 USD per worker, due to the capital-intensive nature of the business and the well trained employees. It is estimated that aviation and its related industries have a total output of nearly 3 trillion USD, equivalent to 8% of world GDP.

A wide range of catalytic benefits are derived from air transport. One of the most important effects, is its ability to facilitate world trade. Air travel encourages countries to specialise and use their comparative advantages, as it allows for easier integration of markets into a global system. Specialisation results in economies of scale and falling per unit costs, as firms become more productive. A quarter of all forms of trading are transported by air. This quick method of delivery improves efficiency and is especially beneficial to time-sensitive goods. Developing countries whose predominant exports are perishable goods such as fruit and vegetables will receive the most benefit from air transportation. Furthermore, consumers of countries who import these goods have greater choice and can purchase things they would not normally have been able to buy.

Another major benefit of air travel is tourism. Recent statistics say that 40% of international travellers travel by air and the range of destinations has increased dramatically. The expansion of tourism into particular developing countries, e.g. Tanzania, Ghana and Senegal, has increased their economic growth at a disproportionate rate to similar countries. This is largely due to the link between tourism, investment and, ultimately, the standard of living. The growing demand for nature-based trips is perceived by some as the cause destruction to the environment. In actual fact, tourism contributes to conservationism and the profits from tourism often go toward the protection of such places.

Other induced effects include the increase in global productivity. Many markets have been expanded due to air transport, reducing the existence of local monopolies, increasing competition and enhancing efficiency. Also, a new system of delivery known as just-in-time has arisen due to air travel. Quicker transportation has improved productivity as well. Air transport has increased the number of potential consumers for companies, as they find it easier to expand into different countries. Research and development in these companies is likely to increase because they can now spread their fixed costs over a larger number of sales. Firms have also benefited from the ability to select appropriately skilled labour on a much more global scale.

There are also social benefits to do with air transportation that improve the population’s quality of living standards, that are sometimes not taken into account when simply considering GDP. Air travel can be important links to remote areas. These communities can be improved by providing essential amenities that they would otherwise be without, such as hospitals and schools. In times of need, e.g. in the event of a natural disaster, air transport is critical in reaching the victims quickly to provide aid. Also, aviation has brought different nations together, creating multi-cultural societies, facilitating interaction and understanding between people of all races.

Air transport is an industry with many economic and social benefits including employment, world trade, tourism, productivity and social integration. The negative externalities to do with noise and air pollution are lower than what people generally perceive them to be, and are being reduced with innovative, practical and scientific solutions. It is the transportation of choice for consumers and businessmen alike. As demand for air travel grows, the air industry is also expanding, with investment in new technology, improvements in safety, and increased efficiency.