Catalytic effects of aviation and their importance for airport development

Abstract

The connectivity that aviation brings is a key component in a globalised world. It creates a significant economic footprint in society far away from the airports and the aviation industry itself. The knowledge level regarding these catalytic effects is often low among different stakeholders. This lack of knowledge about the values created by aviation’s connectivity is an obstacle when airports are trying to realise different visions regarding airport development. There has been a lack of credible figures and communications on a local level. During the last year a thorough study has been performed in order to be able to explain the catalytic effects that aviation creates in Sweden, in a fact-based way. The results show a substantial contribution to GDP and jobs. By forecasting the contribution up to 2030, it is also possible to show the growth and jobs that will be lost if connectivity were to be constrained. By building a fact-based communications approach together with the aviation industry in Sweden, the aim is to increase knowledge about how aviation contributes to the Swedish economy far away from the aviation industry itself.