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air transportation

air transportation

3 2.7
The movement of people or goods by plane
  • noun
  • /ɛr ˌtrænspɔrˈteɪʃən/
translation icon : transporte aéreo
  • Many companies rely on air transportation to deliver their products quickly to international markets.
  • air transportation network
  • development of air transportation

Examples

  • The six villages were selected because of their match of population size to sample size requirements and their accessibility to air transportation.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Air transportation has evolved into a very important intercity passenger mode in the Soviet Union.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Emissions and noise concerns are increasing sources of constraints on the air transportation system.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The reach of Moscow as an air transportation center extends to the entire country.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Moreover, air transportation bestows status on a city, its region, and its political officials.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Air transportation is crucial to a large and relatively roadless country such as the Soviet Union.

    Academic text (1990)
  • In the Soviet Union, aside from material savings in time, several factors have fostered the rapid development of air transportation.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The Soviet air-transportation system reflects the political and physical environments in which it operates.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The Predator and other unpiloted aerial vehicles are believed to represent the future of commercial air transportation.

    Academic text (2005)
  • Cathay Pacific built on British power, prestige, and negotiating skills to transform Hong Kong into the principal regional air transportation hub long before the concept of regional hubs became fashionable in aviation.

    Academic text (1990)

Synonyms

air travel
vsair transportation
28 2.0

Travel by plane to move people or goods

focuses on movement over distances rather than the travel process
lift
vsair transportation
  • Specialized
5 5.3

Transport of people or goods by air to places that are hard to reach

is the broader concept including regular scheduled movement not only emergencies
air transport
vsair transportation
3 2.7

The movement of people or goods by plane

is the general term for moving people or goods through the air
flying
vsair transportation
1 1.1

Traveling by plane or other aircraft

emphasizes movement across distances rather than the general activity

How Large

air transportation
3 2.7
airlift
21 4.7
lift
  • Specialized
5 5.3
flight
1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

air + transportation

The meaning 'movement of people or goods by aircraft' is directly and compositionally derived from 'air' (by aircraft) + 'transportation' (organized movement). This noun-noun combination follows a common and cross-linguistically transparent pattern (e.g. Spanish 'transporte aéreo'), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase air transportation comes from the simple image of taking people or goods through the air on planes, with transportation meaning moving things from one place to another. So, it means 'moving people or goods by aircraft'.