A Multimillion-Dollar Industry

Commercial aviation is a huge global industry worth billions of dollars. New airports continue to be built, and exist­ing airports are enlarged to cope with the growing number of flights. This growth puts strain on local communities and on air traffic control.

Commercial aviation also entails environmental costs. Airplane fuel (made from petroleum) is expensive. Commercial airplanes have significant environmental impact, such as engine noise and air pollution. In addition, environmental scientists say emissions from jet engines are contributing to the greenhouse effect and the consequent change in the world’s climate.

Air routes link the large cities of the world to each other, and increasing numbers of flights fly to vacation desti­nations beyond large cities. The busiest airways are across North America, between North America and Europe, and between European cities. Other impor­tant air routes link South America, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, China, India, and Australia.

TECH^TALK

THE LARGEST AIRLINERS

The largest airliners are the Boeing 747-400 and the Airbus A380.

Boeing 747-400

Wingspan: 211 feet (64.3 meters)

Length: 231 feet (70.4 meters)

Takeoff weight: 875,000 pounds (397,250 kilograms)

Airbus A380

Wingspan 261.6 feet (79.8 meters) Length: 239.5 feet (73 meters)

Takeoff weight: 1,235,550 pounds (560,000 kilograms)

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Today’s airline industry is extremely competitive. Budget airlines offer low fares and no-frills service to attract pas­sengers. Famous names of commercial aviation, such as Pan Am, have been replaced by budget airlines, such as JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines. Airline travel, once reserved for the wealthy, has changed with the develop­ment of air tourism and the increasing number of leisure travelers.

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SEE ALSO:

• Aerospace Manufacturing Industry

• Airport • Airship • Boeing

• Concorde • Flying Boat and Seaplane • Future of Aviation

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