Nearly 88 million jobs were supported worldwide in aviation and related tourism before Covid-19 hit the industry.
In 2019, 4.5 billion passengers were carried by the world's airlines (1.9 billion international passengers and 2.6 billion domestic passengers).
If aviation were a country, it would rank 17th in the world in terms of gross domestic product (GDP), generating $961.3 billion of GDP per year, considerably larger than some members of the G20 (and around the same size as Indonesia or the Netherlands).
It is forecast that aviation will directly contribute $1.7 trillion to world GDP by 2038.
While air transport carries around 1% of the volume of world trade shipments, it represents over 35% by value – meaning that goods shipped by air are very high value commodities and often perishable or time-sensitive.
Deliveries of fresh produce from Africa to the UK alone supports the livelihoods of 1.5 million people, while producing less CO2 than similar produce grown in the UK, despite the energy used in transport.
The overall contribution to global GDP that is supported by aviation is 4.1%
The global aviation industry has a goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, supported by accelerated efficiency measures, energy transition and innovation across the aviation sector in partnership with governments around the world.
The global aviation industry produces around 2.1% of all human-induced CO2 emissions.
Aviation is responsible for 12% of CO2 emissions from all transports sources, compared to 74% from road transport.
Jet aircraft in service today are well over 80% more fuel efficient per seat kilometre than the first jets in the 1950s.
Around 80% of aviation CO2 emissions are emitted from flights of over 1,500 kilometres, for which there is no practical alternative mode of transport.
The average aircraft occupancy in 2019 was 82.5%, which is far higher than for other modes of transport.
There has been a 75% reduction in perceived noise since the first jets.
Global policy developments are making SAF a more important strategic consideration for aircraft operators which has resulted in major forward purchase agreements. As of early 2023, around $45 billion in SAF purchase agreements had been made by airlines (compared to $6 billion pre-Covid).
20 Mt SAF uptake by 2030 could be possible under industry proposed and committed policies.
69 airports worldwide have regular supplies of SAF.
50 airlines have committed to 2030 SAF goals ranging from 5-30% of their total fuel usage, with most of them committing to 10%.
There are currently seven SAF production pathways approved by ASTM International with each pathway representing different processes for production depending on the type of feedstocks.
It is estimated that up to 14 million jobs could be created or sustained by the shift to SAF, creating new energy industries in almost every country throughout the world.
To enable sufficient SAF supply in order to achieve the net-zero 2050 goal, the capital investment required has been estimated at some $1.5 trillion over 30 years – or 6% of traditional oil and gas capital expenditure when averaged out each year.
Aviation fuel should be 5% less carbon intensive by 2030, compared to today’s fossil fuels, as part of a gradual shift towards SAF and lower carbon aviation fuels.
Alternative fuels, particularly sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), have been identified as excellent candidates for helping achieve aviation's climate targets. SAF-derived sources such as algae, jatropha or waste by-products have been shown to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation fuel by up to 80% over their full lifecycle.
Today, SAF is blended with conventional kerosene in ratios of up to 50% to ensure compatibility with aircraft, engines and fuelling systems.
The major airframe and engine manufacturers are working to ensure that all aircraft can safely operate on 100% SAF by around 2030.