Civil Air Travel 1991

Civil air travel data reveals trends and statistics across countries. Compare rankings and explore interactive maps to understand global aviation.

170 data pointsGlobal CoverageCIA World Factbook

Interactive Map

Complete Data Rankings

Rank
1
Canada flag
Canada
636
2
Brazil flag
Brazil
176
3
Mexico flag
Mexico
174
4
Colombia flag
Colombia
106
5
Netherlands flag
Netherlands
98
6
Bulgaria flag
Bulgaria
86
7
Nigeria flag
Nigeria
76
8
Norway flag
Norway
76
9
Denmark flag
Denmark
69
10
Cuba flag
Cuba
59
11
Libya flag
Libya
59
12
Romania flag
Romania
59
13
Bolivia flag
Bolivia
56
14
Argentina flag
Argentina
54
15
Malaysia flag
Malaysia
53
16
Philippines flag
Philippines
53
17
Poland flag
Poland
48
18
Belgium flag
Belgium
47
19
Slovakia flag
Slovakia
47
20
Ecuador flag
Ecuador
44
21
Algeria flag
Algeria
42
22
Pakistan flag
Pakistan
30
23
Portugal flag
Portugal
29
24
Angola flag
Angola
27
25
Peru flag
Peru
27
26
Austria flag
Austria
25
27
Mongolia flag
Mongolia
25
28
Bahrain flag
Bahrain
24
29
Morocco flag
Morocco
23
30
Chile flag
Chile
22
31
Myanmar flag
Myanmar
17
32
Bermuda flag
Bermuda
16
33
Panama flag
Panama
16
34
Bangladesh flag
Bangladesh
15
35
Dominican Republic flag
Dominican Republic
14
36
Luxembourg flag
Luxembourg
13
37
Nicaragua flag
Nicaragua
12
38
Cyprus flag
Cyprus
11
39
Antigua and Barbuda flag
Antigua and Barbuda
10
40
Costa Rica flag
Costa Rica
9
41
Malta flag
Malta
7
42
Madagascar flag
Madagascar
5
43
Mozambique flag
Mozambique
5
44
Nepal flag
Nepal
5
45
Congo flag
Congo
4
46
Mauritius flag
Mauritius
4
47
Oman flag
Oman
4
48
Chad flag
Chad
3
49
Liberia flag
Liberia
3
50
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan
2
51
Anguilla flag
Anguilla
NaN
52
Australia flag
Australia
NaN
53
Bahamas flag
Bahamas
9
54
Botswana flag
Botswana
6
55
Barbados flag
Barbados
2
56
Belize flag
Belize
NaN
57
Cameroon flag
Cameroon
5
58
Brunei Darussalam flag
Brunei Darussalam
4
59
Comoros flag
Comoros
4
60
Benin flag
Benin
3
61
Burkina Faso flag
Burkina Faso
2
62
Central African Republic flag
Central African Republic
2
63
Djibouti flag
Djibouti
2
64
Lesotho flag
Lesotho
2
65
Bhutan flag
Bhutan
1
66
Burundi flag
Burundi
1
67
Cook Islands flag
Cook Islands
NaN
68
Dominica flag
Dominica
NaN
69
Japan flag
Japan
360
70
Germany flag
Germany
239
71
France flag
France
195
72
Italy flag
Italy
125
73
India flag
India
93
74
South Korea flag
South Korea
93
75
Iraq flag
Iraq
64
76
Egypt flag
Egypt
43
77
Finland flag
Finland
42
78
Iran flag
Iran
42
79
Greece flag
Greece
35
80
Hungary flag
Hungary
28
81
Israel flag
Israel
27
82
Ireland flag
Ireland
23
83
Ethiopia flag
Ethiopia
21
84
Iceland flag
Iceland
20
85
Jordan flag
Jordan
19
86
Kuwait flag
Kuwait
19
87
Lebanon flag
Lebanon
15
88
Kenya flag
Kenya
14
89
Côte d'Ivoire flag
Côte d'Ivoire
12
90
Gabon flag
Gabon
11
91
Guatemala flag
Guatemala
10
92
Honduras flag
Honduras
9
93
El Salvador flag
El Salvador
7
94
Jamaica flag
Jamaica
6
95
Guyana flag
Guyana
5
96
Haiti flag
Haiti
4
97
Greenland flag
Greenland
2
98
Guadeloupe flag
Guadeloupe
2
99
Equatorial Guinea flag
Equatorial Guinea
1
100
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) flag
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
NaN
101
Ghana flag
Ghana
6
102
Gambia flag
Gambia
2
103
Guinea flag
Guinea
2
104
Guinea-Bissau flag
Guinea-Bissau
2
105
Fiji flag
Fiji
1
106
French Guiana flag
French Guiana
NaN
107
French Polynesia flag
French Polynesia
NaN
108
Gibraltar flag
Gibraltar
1
109
Grenada flag
Grenada
NaN
110
Indonesia flag
Indonesia
NaN
111
Kiribati flag
Kiribati
2
112
Liechtenstein flag
Liechtenstein
NaN
113
Malawi flag
Malawi
3
114
Nauru flag
Nauru
3
115
Qatar flag
Qatar
3
116
Mauritania flag
Mauritania
2
117
Namibia flag
Namibia
2
118
Maldives flag
Maldives
1
119
Mali flag
Mali
NaN
120
Martinique flag
Martinique
NaN
121
Mayotte flag
Mayotte
NaN
122
Monaco flag
Monaco
NaN
123
Paraguay flag
Paraguay
4
124
New Caledonia flag
New Caledonia
1
125
New Zealand flag
New Zealand
NaN
126
Niger flag
Niger
NaN
127
Papua New Guinea flag
Papua New Guinea
NaN
128
Réunion flag
Réunion
1
129
Rwanda flag
Rwanda
1
130
Saint Kitts and Nevis flag
Saint Kitts and Nevis
NaN
131
Saint Lucia flag
Saint Lucia
2
132
Saint Pierre and Miquelon flag
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
NaN
133
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines flag
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
NaN
134
United States flag
United States
3,297
135
United Kingdom flag
United Kingdom
618
136
Saudi Arabia flag
Saudi Arabia
182
137
Spain flag
Spain
172
138
Sweden flag
Sweden
115
139
Switzerland flag
Switzerland
89
140
South Africa flag
South Africa
81
141
Venezuela flag
Venezuela
58
142
Thailand flag
Thailand
41
143
Singapore flag
Singapore
38
144
Congo, Democratic Republic of the flag
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
38
145
Yemen flag
Yemen
15
146
Trinidad and Tobago flag
Trinidad and Tobago
14
147
Uruguay flag
Uruguay
14
148
Tunisia flag
Tunisia
13
149
Zimbabwe flag
Zimbabwe
12
150
Sao Tome and Principe flag
Sao Tome and Principe
8
151
United Arab Emirates flag
United Arab Emirates
8
152
Uganda flag
Uganda
4
153
Seychelles flag
Seychelles
3
154
Senegal flag
Senegal
2
155
Sierra Leone flag
Sierra Leone
NaN
156
Solomon Islands flag
Solomon Islands
NaN
157
Syrian Arab Republic flag
Syrian Arab Republic
35
158
Sri Lanka flag
Sri Lanka
8
159
Tanzania flag
Tanzania
6
160
Zambia flag
Zambia
6
161
Togo flag
Togo
3
162
Somalia flag
Somalia
2
163
Suriname flag
Suriname
2
164
Eswatini flag
Eswatini
1
165
Tonga flag
Tonga
NaN
166
Turks and Caicos Islands flag
Turks and Caicos Islands
NaN
167
Tuvalu flag
Tuvalu
NaN
168
Vanuatu flag
Vanuatu
NaN
169
Vietnam flag
Vietnam
NaN
170
Samoa flag
Samoa
3

Top 10 Countries

  1. #1Canada flagCanada
  2. #2Brazil flagBrazil
  3. #3Mexico flagMexico
  4. #4Colombia flagColombia
  5. #5Netherlands flagNetherlands
  6. #6Bulgaria flagBulgaria
  7. #7Nigeria flagNigeria
  8. #8Norway flagNorway
  9. #9Denmark flagDenmark
  10. #10Cuba flagCuba

Analysis: These countries represent the highest values in this dataset, showcasing significant scale and impact on global statistics.

Bottom 10 Countries

  1. #170Samoa flagSamoa
  2. #169Vietnam flagVietnam
  3. #168Vanuatu flagVanuatu
  4. #167Tuvalu flagTuvalu
  5. #166Turks and Caicos Islands flagTurks and Caicos Islands
  6. #165Tonga flagTonga
  7. #164Eswatini flagEswatini
  8. #163Suriname flagSuriname
  9. #162Somalia flagSomalia
  10. #161Togo flagTogo

Context: These countries or territories have the lowest values, often due to geographic size, administrative status, or specific characteristics.

Analysis & Context

In 1991, the United States led the world in Civil Air Travel with a value of 3297, showcasing the highest level of aviation activity among the 142 countries with available data. The global range for this metric spanned from a minimum of 1.00 to the aforementioned maximum, highlighting vast disparities in civil air travel across nations. The average value across these countries was 63.95, with a median of 13.00, indicating that while a few countries had extremely high values, the majority of nations experienced relatively modest figures for civil aviation.

Economic Powerhouses and Civil Air Travel

Economic strength often correlates with robust civil air travel, a trend clearly visible in 1991. The United States, with its value of 3297, exemplifies how a large economy supports extensive air travel infrastructure and demand. Similarly, Japan and Germany, with values of 360 and 239 respectively, reflect their significant industrial capacities and global business linkages. These nations benefit from high levels of international and domestic business travel, driven by their strong economic activities.

In contrast, countries like Rwanda and Eswatini, each with a minimal value of 1.00, highlight how smaller or less economically developed nations have limited air travel. Economic constraints, smaller geographic size, and less demand for air services contribute to their low figures.

Geographic and Demographic Influences

Geographic size and population density also play pivotal roles in civil air travel patterns. Countries such as Canada with 636 and Brazil with 176 illustrate how vast territories necessitate air travel as a practical mode of transportation. The sheer size of these countries means that air travel is often the most efficient way to connect distant regions.

Conversely, smaller nations or those with dense urban populations, like United Kingdom with 618, also see high levels of civil air travel. The UK's dense population and strong international business presence drive significant air travel, both domestically and internationally, despite its relatively smaller geographic size compared to countries like Canada.

Policy and Infrastructure Development

National policies and infrastructure development significantly impact civil air travel figures. Saudi Arabia, with a value of 182, has invested heavily in its aviation sector as part of its broader economic diversification goals. Similarly, Spain and Bulgaria experienced considerable year-over-year growth, with increases of 30.00 (21.1%) and 21.00 (32.3%) respectively, driven by infrastructure enhancements and tourism promotion efforts.

In contrast, decreased values in countries like France, which dropped by 160.00 (-45.1%), may reflect shifts in government policy or economic challenges that impact the aviation sector. Such declines can also stem from competitive pressures and changes in consumer behavior, including increased preference for alternative travel modes or destinations.

Year-over-Year Changes and Their Drivers

The year-over-year changes in civil air travel figures reveal insights into national and regional dynamics. Sweden experienced the largest increase with a rise of 50.00 (76.9%), potentially driven by a surge in both domestic and international tourism as well as business travel. Germany and Japan also saw significant increases of 45.00 (23.2%) and 19.00 (5.6%), reflecting economic resilience and growth in air connectivity.

Conversely, the declines in Romania and Italy, with decreases of 11.00 (-15.7%) and 7.00 (-5.3%) respectively, may indicate economic slowdowns or shifts in travel patterns. These reductions could be attributed to various factors, including economic hardships, political instability, or changes in travel preferences.

In summary, the 1991 civil air travel data highlights the interplay between economic strength, geographic factors, policy decisions, and infrastructure development. These elements collectively shape the aviation landscape, with significant variations observed across different regions and countries. Understanding these dynamics provides valuable insights into how nations might develop their air travel sectors in the future.

Insights by country

1

Botswana

Botswana ranked #88 globally in Civil Air Travel in 1991, with a value of 6. This position reflects a relatively low level of civil air travel compared to neighboring South Africa, which has a more developed aviation infrastructure. Factors contributing to Botswana's ranking include its landlocked geography, which limits direct access to international air routes, and a smaller population that may restrict demand for air travel services.

2

Bermuda

In 1991, Bermuda ranked #62 globally in Civil Air Travel with a value of 16. This performance is relatively modest compared to larger nations, reflecting the island's limited population and geographic size. The primary drivers of Bermuda's civil air travel statistics include its status as a tourism hub, which relies heavily on air connections, and its strategic location in the Atlantic, making it accessible for international flights.

3

Malawi

In 1991, Malawi ranked #109 globally in Civil Air Travel with a value of 3. This position reflects a significantly lower level of air travel infrastructure compared to regional neighbors, as many countries in Southern Africa were developing their aviation sectors more rapidly. Contributing factors to Malawi's low score include its limited economic resources, which restricted investment in civil aviation, and geographic challenges that hindered the establishment of a comprehensive air transport network.

4

Pakistan

In 1991, Pakistan ranked #45 globally in civil air travel, with a value of 30. This figure reflects a developing aviation sector, particularly compared to regional neighbors like India, which had a more extensive civil aviation network at that time. Key drivers of Pakistan's civil air travel included its strategic geographic location, linking South Asia with the Middle East, and government policies aimed at enhancing air transport infrastructure to boost economic growth.

5

Niger

Niger ranked #160 globally in Civil Air Travel in 1991, with no major transport aircraft available. This position reflects a significant lack of aviation infrastructure compared to regional neighbors like Nigeria, which has a more developed air transport sector. Contributing factors include Niger's limited economic resources, vast desert geography that complicates transport logistics, and a focus on other modes of transportation over air travel.

6

Mongolia

In 1991, Mongolia ranked #52 globally in Civil Air Travel with a value of 25. This figure reflects a significant gap compared to higher-ranked countries, indicating limited access to air transport within the region. The country’s vast land area and low population density, coupled with a challenging economic transition following the end of Soviet influence, constrained the development of its civil aviation sector.

7

Peru

In 1991, Peru ranked #50 globally for Civil Air Travel with a value of 27. This placed Peru above many of its regional neighbors in South America, where air travel infrastructure was often less developed. Key drivers of this statistic included the country's diverse geography, which necessitated air travel for connecting remote areas, and a growing economy that began to prioritize tourism and trade. Additionally, government policies aimed at modernizing the aviation sector contributed to the increase in civil air travel capacity.

8

Tonga

Tonga ranked #168 in 1991 for Civil Air Travel, with no major transport aircraft. This places Tonga among the lowest globally, just above the bottom-ranked countries. The lack of major transport aircraft is primarily due to Tonga's small population and geographic isolation, which limits the demand for extensive air travel infrastructure.

9

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone ranked #166 in Civil Air Travel in 1991, with no major transport aircraft. This low ranking reflects a significant deficiency compared to regional neighbors, which typically maintain at least some civil aviation capacity. The lack of infrastructure and ongoing civil unrest during this period severely impacted the country's ability to develop an effective air transport system.

10

French Guiana

In 1991, French Guiana ranked #150 out of 170 countries in Civil Air Travel, with no major transport aircraft. This position reflects a significant disadvantage compared to regional neighbors, as many South American countries have developed more robust air transport infrastructures. The limited civil air travel capacity in French Guiana can be attributed to its small population and remote geographic location, which hampers demand for air services and investment in aviation infrastructure.

Data Source

CIA World Factbook

The World Factbook, also known as the CIA World Factbook, was a reference resource produced by the US Central Intelligence Agency between 1962 and 2026 with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. From 1971 it was not classified, and available to the public in print since 1975, initially by the CIA, and later the Government Publishing Office.

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Historical Data by Year

Explore Civil Air Travel data across different years. Compare trends and see how statistics have changed over time.

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