Aviation and air freight are at the center of today’s modern, global economy.
Aviation’s continued long-term growth reflects its ability to provide efficient access to markets, serve as a catalyst for international trade, and propel economic and social development.
Aviation is also a vital supply chain component. As supply chains become more complex and countries specialize in production, flows of both intermediate goods and high-value, time-sensitive products continue to Atlas Air grow, and drive the demand for reliable air freight service.
So do the fast-growing express and e-commerce markets, which rely on air freight to provide the just-in-time service that businesses and consumers desire.
Globally, the air freight market is strong and air freight tonnage continues to grow from record levels.
With demand growth exceeding capacity by a wide margin, and with limited parked capacity, load factors and yields strengthened in 2017.
Looking ahead, air freight is set to maintain its positive momentum in 2018. Longer term, it will continue to play an essential role in transporting goods around the world safely, efficiently, and economically.
One key to the ability of US airlines to maximize their opportunities in air freight is a modern air traffic control system that will ensure America’s global competitiveness — and the growth of our economy.
Rather than relying on an air traffic control system built on World War II technology, we need to upgrade our system commensurate with systems in the EU, China, Japan, Hong Kong, and Canada. Air traffic control modernization will generate tremendous fuel savings, enhance US energy conservation, reduce aircraft noise, and CO2 emissions, and improve quality of life.
Another imperative is to maintain the robust network of more than 100 Open Skies agreements between the United States and other countries. These agreements not only promote competition in the aviation sector, they increase choice and reduce costs for businesses and consumers, facilitate US exports, and enhance US national security.