In Africa more than 6 million jobs and $67.8 billion in GDP 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 African and global economy than many would expect.
“In Africa alone aviation directly employs over 250 000 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 6.7 million jobs. In addition, African economies derive substantial benefits from the spending of tourists travelling by air."
For Africa, forecasts indicate that passenger numbers are expected to almost triple from 67.7 million in 2010 to over 150.3 million in 2030. Meanwhile, cargo volumes are projected to rise at a rate of 5.2% per annum. “The African continent can really take advantage of the benefits that aviation provides over the coming decades. Already, over 1.5 million livelihoods in Africa are supported through the trade in fresh produce to the UK alone. Tourism is another area for potential growth, providing long-term sustainable development of the economy.”
The report is available at www.aviationbenefitsbeyondborders.org
