July 2026 newsletter
Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders – report, workshop, case studies and videos
New report in 2026
One of ATAG’s top priorities for 2026 is to update the Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders analysis. This is published every two years and it provides a truly global picture of how aviation contributes to our world and drives sustainable development. It is widely recognised as a reliable data source and is often quoted by industry, governments and the media. This year’s report will explore the economic and social benefits of aviation globally, for 14 regions / groups and for 92 individual countries. There will be a special focus on aviation’s skills gap and how the workforce needs to evolve to support future growth.
We are again working with Oxford Economics, who have carried out the economic modelling for the report and compiled data on aviation’s jobs and GDP contribution. Their analysis is being supplemented with data from aviation industry partners worldwide. We are grateful for your collaboration.
The official launch of the new report is scheduled to take place during the ICAO 7th Worldwide Air Transport Conference, Montreal, from 16-20 November 2026.
Workshop on communicating the value of aviation
To assist with the development of the new report, ATAG organised a workshop in April in London, on Communicating the value of aviation. The event brought together around 35 communicators, economists and researchers representing a global cross-section of the industry. Discussions focused on communications, advocacy and economics and included reflections on our reputation as a sector and how to convey the value of aviation. The workshop also provided the opportunity to challenge existing themes, test narratives and build greater alignment across the industry, and to flesh out ideas for engaging with the media and policy makers.
Outcomes are being used to create a set of guidelines for industry communicators that will provide a unified framework for communicating aviation’s value across the industry and shape the 2026 Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders communications campaign that will accompany the report’s release. The guidelines will include unified messaging principles, best practices for tactics as well as a content toolkit. The toolkit will be shared in September 2026.
Seeking new case studies
As well as launching the new Aviation: Benefits Beyond Borders report later this year, we will also be updating the accompanying website. This includes a section on case studies, which provides examples of industry actions that have clearly-identifiable economic, social and environment-related benefits.
We would like to invite our members (and their own aviation partners and members) to submit new case studies to be considered for inclusion on the site. For more information, please contact: Suzanne Truman (trumans@atag.org) or Felix Eggert (eggertf@atag.org).
Showcasing aviation’s socio-economic benefits through videos
As part of the communications initiative to promote the economic and social benefits of aviation, we are developing a series of videos that will be aired on social media. These will be filmed at the Farnborough International Air Show from 20-24 July 2026. They will feature short interviews with companies from across the aerospace supply chain, with authentic stories that highlight how aviation contributes to jobs, connectivity, innovation, sustainability and local communities around the world. The focus will be on people and smaller and medium-sized aviation businesses.