Air transport
Also called: Airways · Topic: World Transport and Communication · NCERT: Class 10, Ch 7 "Lifelines of National Economy"; Class 12, Ch 7 "Transport and Communication"
Meaning
Air transport means carrying people and goods by aircraft. It is the fastest mode of transport but also the costliest. It is used for long-distance passengers and for valuable, light or perishable goods. It is often the only way to reach places that roads cannot reach. Airports, hangars, fuelling and repair facilities cost a lot to build. So air transport grew most in industrialised countries. It also matters a great deal in war.
Example
In winter, snow and avalanches often close the mountain roads into Ladakh in the Himalayas. Flights to Leh then carry people, food and supplies. In northern Canada, aircraft supply the Inuit across frozen land.
Don't confuse with
- Water transport: it is the cheapest mode and suits heavy, bulky cargo. Air transport is the fastest and costliest and suits light, high-value cargo.
Related concepts
- Inter-continental air routes
- Big Inch pipeline
- Central Asia-China gas pipeline
- Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline
- TAPI pipeline