Rising protectionism around the world, induced by US President Donald Trump’s trade war, is threatening prospects for global air transport. IATA’s semi-annual Global Outlook for Air Transport, released this week, warns, “trade is a key driver of GDP growth, and any weakening of trade will likely dampen both the global business cycle and activity in the airline industry.” It also points out that trade wars run counter to basic principles embedded in the 1944 Chicago Convention, which has ensured that aviation benefits from harmonized rules and regulations and is protected from “wilful fragmentation.”