The book deals with the subsidies of air transport. It shows which subsidies are used to promote air transport and how the subsidies influence the various segments of air transport. The types of subsidies dealt with correspond to the OECD's delimitation. In addition to tax breaks and transfers, capital subsidies, infrastructure subsidies, regulatory deficits and non-internalised externalities are also included. The areas of air transport in which subsidies are identified are airports, airlines and air traffic control. Furthermore, aircraft manufacturers and research as well as air transport regulation, the behaviour of MPs and airport-related infrastructure are dealt with.  The subject is of general and long-term interest. The book is the most comprehensive and systematic compilation of subsidies available. The result is that air transport is permeated by a largely uncoordinated system of subsidies in all its areas, the overall effects of which have not been recorded until today.

Friedrich Thießen is a full professor at Chemnitz University of Technology and chairman of the Air Transport Working Group. He has produced numerous studies on regional economic and aviation-related topics.