What we do

Airlines UK is the trade body for UK registered airlines, with members representing all sectors of the industry. We work with governments, regulators and legislators to promote the interests of UK airlines, and with organisations across the sector to encourage long-term and sustainable growth in aviation.

We formulate opinions and engage with stakeholders on a number of issues, including airport capacity, taxation, sustainability, disruptive passengers and regulation and consumer protection. We are a proud Council Member of the Sustainable Aviation industry coalition.

The UK airline industry

The UK has the third largest aviation network in the world, following the USA and China and our members play a key role in helping maintain this world-class status.

UK airlines alone generate £65 billion of output, £13 billion of employee income from over 370,000 jobs, and £24 billion of GVA (contribution to national GDP)

• Each UK-based aircraft directly supports 400 jobs and £27m UK GVA compared to 100 jobs and £7m GVA where overseas aircraft fly UK routes. Every two additional departing flights added by a based aircraft creates another job in the wider UK economy.
• UK-based aircraft provide the significant majority of the UK’s unique international connectivity (73%) as well as serve 85% of international routes and all domestic routes and offer 67% of all international seats. UK-based airlines and aircraft means better UK connectivity – particularly on thinner direct routes from regions outside of London.
• Airlines with a UK operating certificate carry nearly 800 thousand tonnes of air cargo annually – contributing to the 40% of the UK’s non-EU trade by value carried onboard aircraft.
• UK airlines transport around 20 million overseas visitors per year to the UK who spend £14 billon – taking total UK jobs supported by UK airlines to over 1 million.