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Air Transportation New Year’s Day 1914: The first

commercial (paid) passenger flight took
place in Florida.
 Tourism depends on transportation to  a single person was transported
bring visitors, while the across Tampa Bay. There have been a
transportation industry depends on number of international aviation
tourism to generate demand for its milestones since that flight.
services. 1914: airplane became useful to German-
 The growth in tourism industry French world wars.
directly reflects onto the air 1920s: continue of enhancement
transportation. 1937: Amelia Earhart, a female aviator
 Over the last 25 years, the number of met a tragic crash during World War II
international tourists has more than bombing.
doubled. 1947: US Fire Force Pilot was able to fly a
 Air transport plays a dominant role in faster speed rocket powered aircraft.
inter-regional movements of tourists, 1950s: discovery of jet engine powered
which normally entails travel over aviation.
long-distance. 1960's: development focused not only on
 According to the International Air aircraft but on instrumentation and control.
Transport Association (IATA), in 2019, Airplanes have become more efficient and
airlines transported 3.5 billion people quieter due to improvements in engines and
across a network of almost 55,000 composite air frames.
routes generating 60 million jobs and 1978: airline travel was deregulated and
$2.6 trillion in business activity. airlines were then able set their own routes
 Air transport is any type of transport and prices. This caused an increase in travel
that moves through the air in developed countries.
 From short domestic flights to long
haul international travel, air transport
is a big part of the travel and tourism Characteristics Air Transport
industry.

1. Unbroken Journey: the fastest and

History of Air Travel quickest means of transport.
2. Rapidity: had the highest speed among
all the modes of transport.
1000 BCE: invention of kite. 3. Expensive: the most expensive means of
1873: invention of light air balloon/hot air transport. There is huge investment in
balloon purchasing aero planes and constructing of
December 17, 1903: The Wright brothers aerodromes.
 Orville and Wilbur made a well- 4. Special Preparations: requires special
sustained machine air transportation, preparations like wheelers links,
the very first plane made “The Wright meteorological stations, flood lights,
Flyer”. searchlights etc.
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Disadvantages:
Advantages and Disadvantages 1. Very Costly: the costliest means of
of Air Transport transport.
Advantages: 2. Small Carrying Capacity: carrying
capacity is very small and hence it is not
1. High Speed: the fastest mode of suitable to carry cheap and bulky goods.
transport and thus it is the most suitable 3. Uncertain and Unreliable: uncertain
mean where time is an important factor. and unreliable as it is controlled to a great
2. Comfortable and Quick Services: extent by weather conditions.
provides a regular, comfortable, efficient ! Unfavorable weather such as fog, snow or
and quick service. heavy rain etc. may cause cancellation of
3. No Investment in Construction of scheduled flights.
Track: does not require huge capital 4. Breakdowns and Accidents: chances of
investment in the construction and breakdowns and accidents are high as
maintenance of surface track. compared to other modes of transport.
4. No Physical Barriers: follows the 5. Large Investment: requires a large
shortest and direct route as seas, mountains amount of capital investment in the
or forests do not come in the way of air construction and maintenance of airplanes.
transport. 6. Specialized Skill: requires a specialized
5. Easy Access: used to carry goods and skill and high degree of training for its
people to the areas which are not accessible operation.
by other means of transport. 7. Unsuitable for Cheap and Bulky
6. Emergency Services: can operate even Goods:
when all other means of transport cannot be unsuitable for carrying cheap, bulky and
operated due to the floods or other natural heavy goods because of its limited capacity
calamities. and high cost.
7. Quick Clearance: custom formalities can 8. Legal Restrictions: many legal
be very quickly complied with and it avoids restrictions imposed by various countries in
delay in obtaining clearance. the interest of their own national unity and
8. Most Suitable for Carrying Light peace.
Goods of High Value: most suitable for
carrying goods of perishable nature which
require quick delivery and light goods of Types of Air Transport
high value such as diamonds, bullion etc.
1. Aeroplanes - also known as aircraft,
over long distances.
airplanes or simply planes, an aeroplane is a
9. National Defense: plays a very
powered, fixed- wing aircraft.
important role in the defense of a country.
 used to transport people and goods,
Modern wars have been fought mainly by
for research, within the military,
aeroplanes.
simply for recreation and more.
10. Space Exploration: helped the world in
 Planes are flown by an on-board pilot
the exploration of space.
or a group of pilots, with the help of
automated technologies.
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Current airliners making planes include:  rely on the pressure of the lifting gas
 Airbus (France/Germany/Spain/United (helium, usually).
Kingdom)  there is a solid passenger car as well
 Antonov (Ukraine) as tail fins. These are the only solid
 ATR Aircraft (France/Italy) parts of a blimp.
 Bombardier Aerospace (Canada)  need to be overpressured in order to
 Boeing (United States) fly, and they have propellors too.
 Comac (China)  used by the US Navy.
 Embraer (Brazil) 5. Gliders - another form of fixed-wing
 Let Kunovice (Czech Republic) aircraft.
 Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation  doesn't rely on an engine - so most do
(Japan) not have one.
 United Aircraft Corporation (Russia)  have small engines for extending their
 Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation flight, but most rely on the dynamic
(China) reaction of the air against the lifting
2. Helicopters - a rotorcraft lift and thrust. surfaces.
 actions are supplied by horizontally  primarily used for sports: gliding,
spinning rotors which allow the paragliding and hang gliding.
helicopter to take off and land
vertically, hover, and fly forward,
backward and laterally. AIRLINE INDUSTRY
 The first operational helicopter was  The airline industry encompasses a
made in 1936. wide range of businesses, called
 can be used in congested areas airlines, which offer air transport
 used by search and rescue groups as services for paying customers or
well as law enforcement and news & business partners.
media companies.  These air transport services are
 include medical transport, tourism provided for both human travelers
and small cargo transportation. and cargo.
3. Hot air balloons - primarily used for  The airline industry offers a variety of
tourism. career paths, including pilots, flight
 uses heat to lift attendants and ground crew.
 the first ever successful human-
carrying types of air transport.
 back in 1783 in Paris, the first
untethered, manned hot air balloon
flight was performed by Jean-François
Pilâtre de Rozier and François Types of Airlines
Laurent d'Arlandes.
1. International Airlines - a group of the
 The hot air balloon they used was
largest, most high-profile and most
created by the Montgolfier brothers.
successful airlines.
4. Blimps - a non-rigid airship.
 a dirigible or barrage balloon with no
 They make billions in revenue each
internal framework or keel.
year and operate large passenger jets.
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 These airlines also tend to focus their revenues of under $20-million, and
efforts on offering global services, often use only small aircraft.
carrying passengers and cargo over  Small regionals - don't have a set
large distances. revenue definition, but are usually
 International airlines usually employ referred to as "commuter airlines."
tens of thousands of people, often They use small aircraft with less than
have multiple hubs and will provide 61 seats.
access to hundreds of destinations.
 Examples would include Delta Air
Lines and American Airlines. Airline Business Models
2. National Airlines – represent the next 1. Full-Service Carriers - offering a range
step down from the largest international of pre-flight and on-board services with the
airlines. price of the ticket.
 They will typically offer both medium-  may include, for instance, checked
sized and large-sized jets and will baggage, in-flight meals and multiple
often focus on offering services to service classes, such as first-class,
areas within their home country. business class, economy class, etc.
 Employ thousands of people, but will  also called Network Airlines.
have a smaller fleet size. In many  the most "evolved" airlines
cases, the destinations they offer  with aircraft ranging from 50 to
flights to are influenced by seasonal nearly 400 seats.
fluctuations in demand.  carry a wide array of passengers,
 Examples of national airlines include including leisure and business
Aloha, Atlas Air, Airtran, Emery passengers traveling domestically or
Worldwide, Evergreen, Hawaiian and internationally.
Midwest Express  full-service carriers are former state-
3. Regional Airlines - the smallest of the owned flag carriers, which have since
three main types and focus on offering been privatized.
services within specific regions.  offer domestic, international, long
 provide passenger services to parts of haul and short-haul slights.
the world with lower levels of demand  Examples would include British
and where services are not offered by Airways, American Airlines, Air
either national or international France and Lufthansa.
airlines.
 Regionals are divided into three
subgroups: 2. Low-Cost Carriers
 Large regionals - scheduled carriers  known as a budget airline
with $20-million to $100-million in  aim to gain a competitive advantage
annual revenue. They operate aircraft over full-service carriers by reducing
that can accommodate more than 60 costs.
passengers.  using smaller fleets and smaller
 Medium regionals - operate on a aircraft, and also by offering more
smaller scale, with operating limited services.
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 flights from low-cost carriers are often  operate flights that adhere to a
significantly cheaper. particular schedule drawn up months
 they tend not to offer lounge services - or even years in advance.
at airports  even if the flight is not full, it should
 often applied to any carrier with low continue to operate.
ticket prices and limited services  tickets are sold via various sales
regardless of their operating models. channels, such as through travel
 low-cost carriers should not be agents, the airline website or ticket
confused with regional airlines that offices.
operate short flights without service  flights cater to both business and
or cut-price flight prices during leisure passengers, and these flights
seasonal sales. are where you will see the class
 Examples would include Ryanair, system in place.
Southwest Airlines, EasyJet and  Offers a variety of options: Economy,
Eurowings. Premium Economy, Business Class
3. Charter Airlines and First Class
 also known as holiday carriers, air  You will get different benefits in each
taxi or ad-hoc flights and require class
certification from that country's  Some of them are: British Airways,
national aviation authority. Emirates, Virgin Atlantic, Gulf Air,
 Regulations are different from typical KLM, Cathay Pacific, Delta. Scheduled
commercial flights as they offer a non- airlines also offer charter services as
scheduled service. well, including Champion Air, Luzair
 focused very firmly on providing and Rayyan Air
passenger services to tourists. 5. Cargo Airlines
 they will enter into agreements with  also known as air freight carriers, are
tour operators and/or travel agencies, airlines that are either solely or
who then take responsibility for primarily focused on the air
finding passengers for them. transportation of cargo or freight.
 often a "middle-ground" between full-  Lufthansa Cargo and Emirates
service and low-cost carriers. SkyCargo, are subsidiaries or sub-
 in many cases, in-flight meals and divisions of airlines that also offer
similar services will be included with passenger services.
the price of an airline ticket.  can be further broken down into
 most popular in the US, but becoming traditional cargo carriers and
more common in Europe followed by integrated cargo carriers.
the Middle East, Asia and Central  all aspects of cargo transportation are
America. controlled by the company, including
 Some charter airline companies the ground or non-flight elements.
include: Arab Wings, Kabo Air, Blue  Examples of airlines that would fit
Bird Aviation and NetJets into the integrated cargo carrier
4. Scheduled Airlines category include UPS Airlines and
FedEx Express.
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Biggest Airline Companies in  The third-largest airline company
 founded in 1926 and started offering
the World
passenger services in 1931.
 When it comes to identifying the
 The company is based in Chicago,
largest airlines in the world, one of
Illinois and offers flights to more than
the most widely utilized metrics is
300 destinations.
revenue passenger-kilometres (RPKS)
 United Airlines is ranked as the third-
and this information is published each
largest airline, not only by RPK, but
year by the International Air
also by fleet size, with more than 750
Transport Association (IATA).
Boeing or Airbus aircraft. In total, the
 As the name indicates, this metric is
airline has eight hubs, with Chicago-
the sum total of the distances flown by
O'Hare Airport serving as the main
each of the airline's paying
one.
passengers over the course of a year.
United Arab Emirates
With this in mind, the seven biggest airline
 Another main airline company within
companies in the world today are:
the airline industry is Emirates, based
in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
American Airlines
 A state-owned airline, it started
 The biggest airline company in the
operations in 1985 and is also
airline industry is American Airlines.
recognized as one of the largest
 Founded in 1926, American Airlines is
airlines in the world for cargo
the largest airline in the world, not
activities.
only according to the aforementioned
 Emirates currently has a fleet size of
RPK metric, but also based on fleet
more than 250 aircraft and is notable
size, total passengers and number of
for not having joined any of the major
destinations served.
airline alliances.
 The company has its main
 It is estimated that Emirates provides
headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas,
flights for more than 50 million annual
flies to around 350 destinations, and
passengers and offers services to
handles 200 million annual
more than 150 destinations in total.
passengers.
The company's sole hub is Dubai
Adelta
International Airport.
 The second-largest airline
 Based in Atlanta, Georgia, in the USA,
Southwest Airlines
Delta Air Lines was established in
 The fifth biggest airline company
1925 and commenced passenger
in the airline industry is Southwest
operations in 1929.
Airlines.
 The company, which employs more
 Established in 1967 and
than 80,000 people, operates in
commencing with passenger
excess of 5,000 daily flights, covers
airline services in 1971, Southwest
more than 300 destinations and
Airlines is recognized as the
handles in the region of 200 million
largest low-cost carrier in the
passengers each year.
world, according to most metrics.

United Airlines
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 It has more than 60,000 staff,  The airline makes use of a point-to-
operates with a fleet of more than point model, rather than having a
750 aircraft and carries more central hub, but its main operational
domestic passengers than any bases can be found at Dublin Airport
other US airline. and London Stanstead Airport.
 Unlike most of the other airlines  Its route network centers on Europe
on this list, Southwest Airlines and the Middle East.
does no have a main hub and
instead relies on a point-to-point
system. Domestic and International
 Most of its destinations are in flights
North America and Central
America, 1. Domestic Flights: Flights from one point
to another within the same country
Southwest Airlines 2. International Flights: Flights from a
 The fifth biggest airline company point in one country to a point of different
 Established in 1967 and commencing country
with passenger airline services in are known as: Non-Stop, Direct and
1971. Connecting Flights
 Southwest Airlines is recognized as Non-stop Flights
the largest low-cost carrier in the  Ideal for: Busy travelers
world, according to most metrics. It  Price Range: The highest
has more than 60,000 staff, operates  The world's longest non-stop flights
with a fleet of more than 750 aircraft  a flight that goes from one destination
and carries more domestic passengers to another without stopping.
than any other US airline.  have a single flight number and are
 Unlike most of the other airlines on often the most sought-after for
this list, Southwest Airlines does no business travelers who value their
have a main hub and instead relies on time.
a point-to-point system.  no stopovers, no matter how short,
 Most of its destinations are in North they won't be affected by unexpected
America and Central America. airport delays after takeoff.
Perth London 17h 20m
Ryanair Airlines Auckland - Doha
 Ryanair is Founded in 1984, 17h 40m
 Ryanair is based in Dublin, Ireland Houston - Sydney
and is recognized as one of the largest 17h 30m
budget airlines in the world, providing Singapore - New York
flights for more than 100 million 18h 45m
passengers every year. Direct Flights
 These flights cover 225 destinations  Ideal for: Travelers that have more
and the company has a fleet size of time, but still appreciate a quicker
more than 300 aircraft. flight
 Price Range: Moderate to high
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 used interchangeably with 'non-stop' plus for travelers that don't mind
when talking about flights, as many taking a little extra time in their
people think they're the same thing. journey.
They're not.  Plus, increasingly lavish airports and
 have only one flight number, but lounges mean that a little layover time
they're different from non-stop flights isn't necessarily a bad thing.
in that they stop at least once en Airline Ticket
route to their final destination to pick  An airline ticket is a document or
up or drop off passengers electronic record, issued by an airline
 can add up to an hour to your total or a travel agency, that confirms that
flight time every time they stop, so an individual is entitled to a seat on a
they're not ideal for those in a hurry. flight on an aircraft.
 flights can be a rewarding option in  The airline ticket may be one of two
that they can be cheaper than non- types: a paper ticket, which comprises
stop flights. coupons or vouchers; and an
Connecting Flights electronic ticket (commonly referred
 Flight to destination without any to as an e-ticket).
intermediate stops.  The ticket, in either form, is required
 Ideal for: International travelers, or to obtain a boarding pass during
those that value cheaper fares over check-in at the airport.
shorter routes.  Then with the boarding pass and the
 Price Range: The lowest attached ticket, the passenger is
 If you book a connecting flight, it allowed to board the aircraft.
means that you will not only make a Regardless of the type, tickets contain
stop en route to your final destination, the following information.
but you'll have to disembark your • The passenger's name
plane to get on a new plane. • The issuing airline
 They usually have more than one • A ticket number, including the airline's
flight number and will generally come three-digit code[2] at the start of the
with a layover. number
 usually not the most sought-after for • The cities between which the ticket is valid
business travellers that place a high for travel
value on their time. • Flight for which the ticket is valid (unless
 Not only will you be spending extra the ticket is "open")
time in the airport due to landing, • Baggage allowance.
disembarking and layovers, but these • Fare. (Not always visible on a printout but
flights can be influenced by recorded electronically for the airline)
unexpected airport or weather delays. • Taxes. (Not always visible on a printout
 Connecting flights are often the only but recorded electronically for the airline)
choice for international travelers. • The "Fare Basis", an alphabetic or
 The big benefit of connecting flights is alphanumeric code that identifies the fare
the potential to save money. • Restrictions on changes and refunds. (Not
 They're always less expensive than always shown in detail, but referred to)
direct and non-stop flights - a definite • Dates for which the ticket is valid
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• "Form of payment", i.e. details of how the Popular Websites to Book Airline
ticket was paid for, which will in turn affect Tickets
how it Bas would be refunded. • Airline own websites
• The exchange rate used to calculate any • Skyscanner
international parts of the fare and tax • Kayak
• A "Fare Construction" or "Linear" showing • Travelocity
the breakdown of the total fare • Expedia
•Times on airline tickets are generally for • Booking.com
the local time zone where the flight will be • CheapOair
at that • Tripadvisor
moment. • Travelzoo
• Momondo

There are several factors that

Air Transport Organizations
contribute to the cost of a fare:
 Air Transport Association (ATA)
• Purchase date - The earlier you buy a - The premier trade group of the
ticket, the cheaper it will be (most likely). principal U.S. airlines.
Someone who buys a ticket on the day the - ATA airline members and their
flight is entered is going to get a cheaper affiliates transport more than 90% of
fare than someone who buys a seat on the U.S. airline passenger and cargo
day of the flight. traffic.
• Class - first class is more expensive than - serves its member airlines and their
coach. customers by assisting the airline
• Destination - There are certain industry in continuing to provide the
destinations that cost more, either because world's safest system of
of the distance to the destination or the transportation;
popularity of the destination. - transmitting technical expertise and
• Flight date and time - Flights that depart operational knowledge to improve
earlier in the day tend to have lower fares safety, service and efficiency;
because fewer people are flying then. Also, - advocating fair airline taxation and
fares go up in the summer vacation season. regulation worldwide to foster a
• Fuel costs - Fuel is an airline's second healthy, competitive industry;
largest expense. Any increase in fuel costs is - and by developing and coordinating
usually passed onto passengers in the ticket industry actions that are
price. environmentally beneficial,
• Competitors' fares - An airline has to be economically reasonable and
careful not to price their fares too much technologically feasible
higher than their competitors.  Flight Safety Foundation (FSA)
• Special factors - There are certain - An independent, nonprofit,
specialty fares given to senior citizens, international organization engaged in
government and military employees and research, auditing, education,
corporate customers. advocacy and publishing to improve
aviation safety.
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- The Foundation's mission is to pursue - It changes the principles and
the continuous improvement of global techniques of international air
aviation safety and the prevention of navigation and fosters the planning
of accidents. and development of international air
- The Foundation, with members from transport to ensure safe and orderly
more than 142 nations around the 2d growth.
globe, bau transcends local, regional  Society of Experimental Test
or national political interests. Pilots (SETP)
 General Aviation Manufacturers - The Society of Experimental Test
Association (GAMA) Pilots is an international organization
- A national trade association that seeks to promote air safety and
representing 55 manufacturers of contributes to aeronautical
fixed-wing aircraft, engines, avionics, advancement by promoting sound
and components. aeronautical design and development;
- In addition to building nearly all the - interchanging ideas, thoughts and
general aviation aircraft flying in the suggestions of the members, assisting
United States today, in the professional development of
- GAMA member companies also experimental pilots, and providing
operate aircraft fleets, airport fixed- scholarships and aid to members and
based operations, pilot schools, and the families of deceased members.
training facilities across the nation.
 International Air Transport
Association (IATA) AIRPORT CODES
- An international trade body - Airport codes arose out of the
representing some 240 airlines convenience that the practice brought
comprising 94% of boy scheduled pilots for location identification in the
international air traffic. 1930s.
- IATA's aim is to help airlines help - Initially, pilots in the United States
themselves by simplifying processes used the two-letter code from the
and increasing passenger convenience National Weather Service (NWS) for
while reducing costs and improving identifying cities.
efficiency. - This system became unmanageable
- Safety is IATA's number one priority, for cities and towns without an NWS
and IATA's goal is to continually identifier, and the use of two letters
improve safety standards, notably allowed only a few hundred
through IATA's Operational Safety combinations; a three-letter system of
Audit (IOSA). airport codes was implemented.
- Another main concern is to minimize - This system allowed for 17,576
the impact of air transport on permutations, assuming all letters can
environment be used in conjunction with each
 International Civil Aviation other
Organization (ICAO)
- is a specialized agency of the United - An IATA airport code, also known as
Nations. an IATA location identifier, IATA
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station code, or simply a location
identifier, is a three-letter geocode
designating many airports and
metropolitan areas around the world,
defined by the International Air
Transport Association (IATA).

- The characters prominently displayed

on baggage tags attached at airport
check-in desks are an example of a
way these codes are used.

- The assignment of these codes is

governed by IATA Resolution 763, and
it is administered by the IATA's
headquarters in Montreal. The codes
are published semi-annually in the
IATA Airline Coding Directory.

ICAO vs. IATA Codes

ICAO codes are four-letter codes used by a

appendant body of the United Nations to
designate international flights and govern
the standards of air travel.
IATA codes are three-letter codes used by a
non-governmental trade organization to
efficiently identify airports, airlines, and
flight paths for consumers.