Air transport is an innovative industry that drives economic and social progress thereby providing a better quality of life for the world's citizens.

For nearly five decades air transport has provided significant public benefits. It brings work and employment, prosperity, increased trade and new travel and tourism opportunites. It attracts business, provides access to global markets and brings the developed and developing world closer together which can help alleviate poverty.

Air transport is now a massive and economically vital business encompassing manufacturers and operators of engines and aircraft, fuel suppliers, airports and air traffic control systems. Its customers represent every sector of the world's economy and every segment of the world's population.

The industry's competitive environment is undergoing fundamental change. Its development in major markets is constrained by problems caused by overloaded airport and air traffic control systems and by concern about air transport's environmental impact.

Find out more about the industry in Issues, Publications, Facts & Figures and Q&As.