International air links are essential for economic growth in Europe

Posted on Feb , 03, 2012 by Fiona Hughes

A new survey has identified the European countries that business leaders from the world’s fastest growing economies are most likely to trade with because of good air travel links.

The survey, which was conducted by the British Chamber of Commerce, found that two thirds of directors in countries such as Brazil, China, India, South Korea and Mexico are most inclined to do business in France, Germany and Holland because they offer the best direct flight links to and from their own countries. Nine out of ten (92%) of the 350 business travellers, who are also company directors, also said direct flights influence their inward investment decisions.

The survey illustrates the importance of air travel to economic growth and demonstrates how investment in transport infrastructure directly impacts a society.

In the UK there is much political debate around whether to build a new airport or expand Heathrow to address air travel capacity issues. A new airport outside of London would be a massive project taking more than 20 years to deliver. However, many commentators believe it is necessary if the country’s economy is to stay competitive in the future.

Against this argument are local residents’ concerns and environmental considerations, which favour high speed rail connections for business travel. However, it is clear that people will not be catching a train to Brazil anytime soon. If we accept that a large proportion of economic growth is to come from business with far flung locations, politicians and transport planners have a tough balancing act to perform between environmental considerations and economic growth.

Nevertheless, it’s interesting to note that not much has changed in Europe over hundreds of years. It’s still lucrative “trade routes” with places like China and South America that are essential to a country’s wealth, except now there are jumbo jets carrying executives, not ships carrying spices and silks.