Airports account for roughly 4.1% of European GDP, an independent report claims.
'The Economic Impact of European Airports' by ACI Europe reveals that the travel hubs employ 12.3 million people, earning €356 billion, and generating an overall annual total of €675 billion.
The industry trade association singled out the sector's ability to facilitate and generate wider economic activities as a reason for its economic prominence in the aviation sector: "This boosts overall national and European economic performance, reflecting the role of air connectivity in delivering increased trade, greater investments, more tourism activity and better productivity overall."
"The figures on airports' contribution to jobs and GDP are impressive," said Arnaud Feist, president of ACI EUROPE and CEO of Brussels airport. "They clearly show that airports and their associated aviation partners are not just providing a service to other industries and the travelling public, but that they are in fact a key driver and facilitator of economic growth and prosperity in today's globalised world."
