Citation

Caves RE. Transp. Plann. Tech. 1994; 18(1): 3-19.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/03081069408717529

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The balance of the benefits and the costs of aviation are examined from the standpoint of the validity of the methods employed to assess them. Estimates of the economic benefits are shown to be suspect and of little value to policy makers. The main requirement is for rigorous causal analysis. There are other, social, benefits of aviation, but they need to be assessed in the light of societal goals which are seldom explicit. Several disbenefits are identified which will rise in importance even if noise impacts are accepted. Aviation is seen to be making substantial efforts to minimise the disbenefits, but will inevitably be asked to do more.