ETW STAFF – Mumbai
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on governments to be stronger partners in maximizing aviation’s economic and social benefits. “Our industry’s license to grow is earned through working with governments to constantly make flying even safer, more secure, and more sustainable. Now we need an agenda to achieve tax regimes that do not kill growth, regulation that facilitates growth, and infrastructure that can efficiently accommodate growth. Doing so will enable the substantial economic benefits—jobs and growth—that global connectivity provides,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and CEO. The remarks came in Tyler’s State of the Industry address at the opening of the 68th IATA Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit in Beijing.
Oxford Economics has projected that aviation will grow about 5 per cent annually to 2030. That would see passenger numbers rise to 5.9 billion and cargo shipments could triple to nearly 150 million tonnes. This connectivity would support 82 million jobs and $6.9 trillion of global GDP. If growth is held back by even one percentage point, the global economy would forfeit 14 million jobs and over $1 trillion in GDP contribution from aviation.
