Source: Air Transport Association.

World Air Travel and World Air Freight Carried, 1950-2004

Air transportation experienced a high rate of growth since the 1970s, with air freight growing faster than passengers, especially in the 1990s. It has also been characterized by several fluctuations linked with recessions (1973-1975; 1980-1984; 1990-1991; Asian Crisis of 1997) or geopolitical instability (Gulf War of 1991; September 11 2001). In spite of these setbacks, the growth appears to be exponential and will level of when developing economies such as China and India will become more mature.

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