Page 29 - World Airnews Magazine January 2021 Edition

IATA

73%. Canada’s connectivity (-85% decline) was hit more heavily

than the United States (-72%). In part, this reflects the large do-

mestic aviation market in the United States, which despite a signifi-

cant passenger decline, has continued to support connectivity.

Latin America suffered a 91% collapse in connectivity. Mexico

and Chile performed relatively better than the other most connect-

ed countries, perhaps due to the timing of domestic lockdowns in

these countries and how strictly they were enforced.
BEFORE THE PANDEMIC

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the growth in air connectivity was a
global success story. Over the last two decades the number of cities

directly linked by air (city-pair connections) more than doubled while
over the same period, air travel costs fell by around half.
The top-ten most connected countries in the world mostly
saw significant increases over the 2014-2019 period. The United

States remained the most connected country, with growth of 26%.
China, in second place, grew connectivity by 62%. Other standout

performers in the top ten included fourth-place India (+89%) and Shanghai
ninth-place Thailand (+62%).
IATA research explored the benefits of increased air connectivity.

The standout conclusions are:

• A positive link between connectivity and productivity. A 10%

rise in connectivity, relative to a country’s GDP, will boost

labour productivity levels by 0.07%.
• The impact is greater for developing countries. Investments

in air transport capacity in countries where connectivity is

currently relatively low will have a much larger impact on

their productivity and economic success than a similar level of

investment in a relatively developed country.
• Tourism revenue may be reinvested to form capital assets. Air
transport has contributed to greater employment oppor-

tunities and wider economic benefits through the tourism

catalytic effects, particularly in small island states. In emerg-

ing market economies, there may be a structural shortage of
demand, so tourism spend can fill in the gap.

• Tax revenues increase from enhanced economic activity. Air

connectivity facilitates economic activity and growth in a giv-

en country, which may have a positive impact on government New York
tax revenues. Q
NEWS
BELL OPENS COMMERCIAL
BUSINESS CENTRE
Worth International Airport (DFW). According to Bell, opening the CBC is

“As we continue to expand our one of a series of facility updates designed

ell Textron officially opened the footprint in Fort Worth, it is important to accommodate for the growth that it
Bdoors to its new Bell Com- we create a space for our employees expects to see from its participation in

mercial Business Centre (CBC) in Fort to innovate and think creatively,” said the US Army Future Long-Range Assault

Worth, Texas late last year. Michael Thacker, Bell executive vice Aircraft (FLRAA) and Future Attack Recon-

Approximately 600 Bell employees president of commercial business and naissance Aircraft (FARA) programmes.

will work at the facility, which will house technology innovation. Other FLRAA- and FARA-related

operations including Bell’s commercial “Having a dedicated facility for com- expansions this year have included the
programmes, global sales and customer mercial business will allow enhanced unveiling a new Manufacturing Technol-

support and services. collaboration throughout the entire ogy Centre (MTC) in Fort Worth and the
The Bell CBC is located in a former enterprise and support Bell’s vision opening of a facility in Wichita, Kansas.

American Airlines building near both to continue to advance the future of Bell also said it has renovation plans for

Bell headquarters and Dallas/Fort mobility and vertical flight.” its Dallas headquarters. Q
World Airnews | January 2021
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