Aviation also promotes social inclusion, by developing links between people, countries and cultures. The plane also facilitates access to remote regions and island communities. For example, air transport is vital for French Overseas Departments and Territories, as they provide direct links to continental France.  Without aviation, tourism and territorial continuity would be impossible.

Airlines work closely with local communities, and support economic development and employment through a number of initiatives, while providing business to a large number of suppliers.  Access to efficient international air services is the third criterion for company managers when establishing new premises.

Air transport also supports employment through the purchase of goods and services by aviation companies. These include jobs in aircraft manufacture, the fuel sector, the IT sector, etc.  Over 60% of AIR FRANCE KLM turnover goes to service providers (excluding airport and air navigation charges).

Aviation is a major employer of highly qualified staff.

• The industry generates a total of 29 million jobs worldwide: 5 million direct jobs, 5.8 million indirect jobs through its supply chain, 2.7 million induced jobs through spending by industry employees, and 15.5 million jobs through air transport’s impact on tourism.
• An estimated 4,000 jobs created by the transport of an additional 1 million passengers transiting through a major airport,
• For cargo, the transport of an additional 1,000 tons of general freight per year leads to the creation of 10 to 15 jobs; express freight generates 120 to 170 jobs per 1,000 tons.

► A Need for Air Transport