Is air transport an effective tool for sustainable development?

Abstract

Several authoritative studies indicate that air transport makes a strong, positive contribution to economic development - a contribution that far outweighs the environmental and social costs of aviation. This article investigates this benign view, analysing the assumptions upon which it is based and arguing that the relationship between air transport and economic benefits may be more complex than is commonly held. In particular, the benefits of air transport services may be highly unevenly distributed, with particular groups benefiting from air transport provision to a far greater extent than others. Hence this article poses the question of whether air transport is an effective tool for sustainable development, or whether it simply reinforces existing patterns of economic interest and political hegemony. Based on analysis of a range of key documents, some criteria are presented that could potentially be used to indicate how air transport may most effectively be used to promote sustainable development. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

The contested concept of sustainable aviation

“…Recent research suggesting that the relationship between the aviation sector and economic development is not straightforward and the economic benefi ts of aviation are somewhat unevenly distributed (Daley, 2008) may perpetuate this situation. Thus the outcomes of deliberative processes associated with a more refl exive ecological modernization may be uncertain (Morse, 2008) and may not achieve requisite discursive closure for sustainable aviation policy to function properly.…”

Governance of sustainability at airports: Moving beyond the debate between growth and noise

“…Daley (2009) takes a different approach by focusing on the relationship between economic benefits and aviation. Such benefits are definitely there.…”

The academic journal literature on air transport: Analysis using systematic literature review methodology

“…Numerous studies have shown that air transportation makes a significant contribution to a country's economic and social development and represents an important engine of economic growth for nations. Daley (2009) summarizes the economic benefits of aviation, finding that it allows companies to expand and penetrate other markets, it contributes to corporate specialization by generating scale economies and stimulating direct foreign investment, and there are also social benefits in terms of workforce mobility, leisure travel and cultural exchanges, amongst others.…”