Executive summary

A substantial sample of 679 individuals across the aviation, rail and shipping industries responded to the survey, providing an authoritative and wide ranging examination of the current state of health of those transport sectors around the world.

Our previous transport survey was carried out in 2009 at a time when transport industries were severely affected by the global financial crisis. That survey indicated a level of concern right across the industry, albeit with differing outlooks and prospects highlighted in each sector. Twelve months on we wanted to take the pulse of the industry once again to see if the intervening period had produced any improved business confidence and commercial recovery.

Key findings

  • The transport industry as a whole is showing signs of cautious optimism about the state of the recovery.
  • 17% of respondents think that the global financial crisis is already beginning to dissipate, with a further 14% expecting improvements within twelve months.
  • Joint ventures are being actively sought across all three transport sectors and in all key markets around the world.
  • Government support, equity funding and bank debt are expected to be the three primary sources of funding for the industry as a whole over the next two years.
  • 44% of respondents agree that infrastructure investment will be the single most helpful form of government support.
  • An increase in fiscal incentives is the most likely trigger for a sustained investment in greener technology.
  • 63% of respondents are currently engaged in improving their technological performance in order to reduce their environmental impact.
  • The Asia Pacific and Middle East and North African (MENA) regions are the most buoyant transport markets.

Although a third of all respondents do not expect the impact of the crisis to dissipate for at least another year, the general picture in 2010 is one of renewed confidence within the industries surveyed, tempered by continuing economic challenges. Broadly, the results show that businesses operating in Asia Pacific and the Middle East are recovering fastest from the global financial crisis, confidence within the aviation sector has improved from very low levels last year, and transport businesses as a whole see joint venturing as an attractive way of gaining strength in the recovery. Over the next twelve months there will be continued demand within the industry for higher levels of infrastructure investment and incentives to support the recovery process and pave the way for sustained growth. Meanwhile, transport businesses are actively engaged in seeking technological improvements to reduce their environmental impact.

Download The way ahead in transport - Survey 2010 (pdf 2.02 MB)

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