"The benefits to global economies from open sky policies are real and substantive," Peter de Jong, president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata), said in introducing the report.

For example, liberalising just 320 of the world's 2,000 restrictive air routes would generate economic value comparable to the Brazilian economy, along with 24.1 million full-time jobs and a US$490-billion (Bt18.8 trillion) contribution to global wealth.

The unprecedented research project quantifies the economic impacts of changes in aviation policy based on an economic model developed by InterVISTAS-ga2 Consulting. Data from more than 190 nations and 2,000 country-pairs (international air routes) were used.

Other findings of the study included the following:

lCountries that liberalised air traffic experienced growth in air traffic of at least 12 per cent to more than 50 per cent.

lFully liberalising the US-UK market alone would create 117,000 new jobs and generate $7.8 billion in economic value.

lThe creation of the Single European Aviation Market in 1993 led to an average annual growth rate in traffic between 1995 and 2004 that was almost double the rate of growth that existed between 1990 and 1994 - and it created 1.4 million new jobs.

InterVISTAS president Jon Ash said international air commerce was still governed by a framework of rules laid down in the post-World War II era.

"Despite today's trend toward global markets, free trade, the Internet and the economic integration of entire continents, one of the most global, technology-intensive industries - commercial aviation - remains encumbered by rules that stifle competition and prevent airlines, communities, passengers and shippers from benefiting to the fullest," he said.

Industry groups involved in the study were Airports Council International, Air Transport Action Group, General Electric, Pratt & Whitney, Boeing, European-American Business Council, Franco-American Chamber of Commerce, International Air Transport Association, Pata, the US-Asean Business Council, and the World Travel and Tourism Council.