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Aviation is a key economic contributor. In Singapore, for example, where the government has supported aviation as a strategic industry, it contributes 119,000 quality jobs and 5.4% of GDP. This is according to Oxford Economics studies commissioned by IATA to demonstrate to governments the catalytic impact of a healthy aviation sector on national economies. "The connectivity that aviation provides to Singapore has enabled it to develop as a successful regional hub for sectors as diverse as finance, healthcare, culture and education," said Tyler in a keynote address to the Singapore Airshow Aviation Leadership Summit.

Not all governments have the same positive approach. India is one market that is missing out on aviation's potential as a result of a policy framework that does not support aviation's competitiveness. For example, high taxes, a lack of capacity in Mumbai and increasing infrastructure costs in Delhi are holding back Indian aviation's potential. "The stunted growth of Indian aviation comes with an economic cost. India's population is about 240 times the size of Singapore's. But the number of aviation jobs is just about 14 times larger at 1.7 million. And the economic contribution of aviation is still only 0.5% of the Indian economy. It is an important 0.5%. But even considering the differential in GDP/capita between Singapore and India, these numbers tell us that there is tremendous unrealized potential in India," said Tyler. (IATA)

To read the full speech by IATA's DG & CEO go to:

http://www.iata.org/pressroom/speeches/Pages/2012-02-13-01.aspx