Burghouwt, G., de Wit, J. and van der Bruggen, J. (2006) The impact of ageing on aviation, Airneth Report 3,  14 December 2006

The "grey boom" at European airports is about to start. The share of older air travellers is growing quickly. At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, 50+ travellers accounted for 24% of total origin-destination traffic in 2005. After 2010, a 50% share of older air travellers in origin-destination traffic will be the rule rather than the exception at many European airports. On top of that, the air transport industry itself will have to deal with an ageing workforce.

The opportunities and challenges of ageing have been addressed in many fields, ranging from the housing market, the labour market to urban commuter behaviour. Yet, the relation between ageing and air transport remains largely unclear and undocumented, both in the academic world and in aviation policy.
What will be the impact of ageing on the air transport industry and aviation policy? Airneth has addressed this question in a seminar entitled "the impact of ageing on aviation" since Airneth believes that the implications of ageing on aviation will be substantial. Airneth stresses the need to address the issue of ageing and air transport in the academic world, in policy and in the air transport industry itself.