Airports Council International Europe has released a new study on the aviation industry’s impact on the continent

Credit: ACI Europe

Airports Council International Europe (ACI Europe) has released a new study on “The Economic and Social Impact of European Airports & Air Connectivity”¹. Research was conducted by SEO Amsterdam Economics, who compiled information on the airport industry’s impact on the European economy.  

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE commented: “The extensive analysis and data released today clearly show that what sets airports and the aviation ecosystem apart from most other sectors is their ability to facilitate and support wider economic activities. This results in increased trade and productivity, along with greater investments, tourism activity and increased employment rates overall. This specific ability clearly boosts overall national and European economic performance — and only means one thing: that airports and air connectivity are irreplaceable drivers of competitiveness for Europe”.

What has ACI EUROPE’s new study revealed?

• European airports and air connectivity generate €851b (5% of Europe’s GDP), and 14 million jobs (6% of total European jobs)
• Each +10% increase in direct air connectivity yields -14% of the population living in poverty
• Each +10% increase in direct connectivity yields +9% in quality education
• Each +10% increase in direct connectivity yields +19% in gender equality
• Each +10% increase in direct connectivity yields +8.5% in research and development
• Each +10% increase in direct connectivity yields +1.2% in life satisfaction

Professor Wouter Dewulf, University of Antwerp said:

“Aviation is a powerful catalyst for global progress, transforming barriers into opportunities and driving economic growth. It not only connects people, businesses, and cultures across the world but also plays a pivotal role in local job creation and social welfare.”

Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and former Prime Minister of Italy added: “Air connectivity is one of the fundamental pillars of European integration and cohesion, and indeed the future of our EU Single Market depends very much on the resilience and effective decarbonisation of our transport systems”.

^{1 Download the synopsis of the key data, facts and analysis from the SEO Amsterdam Economics Study here: ACI EUROPE Synopsis – Benefits of Airports and Air Connectivity}