Air transport is an essential service - measures must be taken to ensure its healthy growth. Air Transport Industry A ir transport is one of the world's most important services. Its development and its technical and service achievements place air transport as one of the greatest contributors to the advancement of modern society. Since the first jet airliner flew in 1949, use of commercial aviation has grown more than seventy-fold. This growth is unmatched by any other major form of transport.
Air transport is essential to economic progress.
In an increasingly global community and marketplace, air transport makes possible the rapid movement of millions of people and billions of dollars worth of goods to markets around the world. The industry plays a decisive role in the work and leisure of hundreds of millions of people. The industry includes the suppliers and operators of aircraft, engine manufacturers, fuel suppliers, airports and air traffic control systems. Its customers come from every sector of the world's economy and from every segment of the world's population. More than 3.9 million people are directly employed by the industry throughout the world.