 In terms of direct impact on the UK economy , air transport is an £ 11 @.@ 4 billion industry , a figure which represents 1 @.@ 1 per cent of the country ’ s economy . It employs 186 @,@ 000 people ( full @-@ time equivalents ) , and indirectly supports an additional 334 @,@ 000 jobs , although the inclusion of indirect employment as an economic benefit of air transport is disputed . In terms of productivity the aviation industry in 2004 was the third most productive , after the oil / gas extraction and utilities sectors , exceeding the national average by a factor of two and a half . The industry is also very capital intensive , accounting for up to 3 @.@ 5 per cent of total UK business investment in the period 2000 to 2004 . Air transport was directly responsible for £ 3 @.@ 6 billion in tax and national insurance contributions in 2004 / 5 , which includes £ 0 @.@ 9 billion raised in Air Passenger Duty ( APD ) , a figure set to double after APD rates were doubled in February 2007 . Because of the global nature of the industry , article 15 of the Chicago Convention effectively prevents the imposition of fuel duty on aviation , and the industry does not pay Value Added Tax ( VAT ) . Environmental groups argue that these , along with duty @-@ free sales , are iniquitous tax concessions valued at £ 9 billion annually . Despite generating £ 6 @.@ 9 billion in exports in 2004 , representing 3 per cent of all UK exports and 7 per cent of the total export of services , the patronage in the UK of air transport services provided by overseas airlines resulted in a £ 3 @.@ 3 billion balance of payments deficit attributable to the industry . 
