AIR travel remains a large and growing industry. It facilitates economic growth, world trade, international investment and tourism and is therefore central to the globalisation, taking place in many other industries.
Business travel has also grown as companies become increasingly international in terms of their investments, their supply and production chains and their customers. The rapid growth of world trade in goods and services and international direct investment have also contributed to growth in business travel.
Since then, airlines have had to recognise the need for radical change to ensure their survival and prosperity. Many have tried to cut costs aggressively, to reduce capacity and to increase load factors. At a time of renewed economic growth, such actions have returned the industry as a whole to profitability.
To meet the requirements of their increasingly discerning customers, some airlines have to invest heavily in the quality of services that they offer, both on the ground and in the air. Ticketless travel, new interactive entertainment systems, and more comfortable seating are just some of the product enhancements being introduced to attract and retain customers.