The aviation industry supports 87.7 million jobs around the world, either directly within the industry or, supported through the industry's supply chain, employees' spending and in the aviation-enabled tourism sector.
Employment
11.3 million direct jobs
Around 11.3 million people work in the aviation industry directly. These jobs are:
- Airport operators: 648,000 (work for the airport operator)
- Other airport-based roles: 5.5 million (retail, car rental, customs and immigration, freight forwarders and catering)
- Airlines: 3.6 million (flight and cabin crews, executives, ground services, check-in, training, maintenance staff)
- Civil aerospace: 1.3 million (engineers and designers of civil aircraft, engines and components)
- Air navigation service providers: 237,000 (air traffic controllers, executives)
These jobs are, on average, 4.3 times more productive than average jobs in the economy.
18.1 million indirect jobs
Over 18.1 million jobs globally are supported by aviation indirectly, through the air transport industry's purchase of goods and services.
These include suppliers to the air transport industry, for example fuel suppliers, construction companies, suppliers of aircraft components, manufacturers of goods sold in airports, and a variety of business support roles, like call centres, IT and accountancy.
13.5 million induced jobs
Air transport industry employees (direct and indirect) support 13.5 million induced jobs globally, using their income to purchase goods and services for themselves. Their spending power supports jobs in retail, consumer goods, and a range of service industries such as banks and restaurants.
44.8 million jobs in tourism
Tourism is fast becoming the world's largest industry, and air transport plays a vital role. Conservative estimates suggest that aviation supports 44.8 million jobs within tourism.