People continue to remain “highly positive” about their willingness to travel by air, new research shows.
Travellers have developed a more considered and informed perception of the pandemic, and this will influence their future flying behaviour.
The findings come from a traveller survey run by Airports Council International (ACI)
While less than half (48%) travelled since the beginning of the pandemic, the study suggests they are more likely to travel by air again sooner and more frequently as the journey feels safe and secure.
By contrast, those that have not yet flown since the start of the crisis tend to be less confident as they have not yet experienced the changes that airports have implemented across the passenger journey.
This issue is further intensified by the lack of harmonised measures across governments, particularly regarding international travel.
Even though all respondents are equally interested in travelling by air again, jabbed respondents, although protected by the vaccine, retain concerns about their safety when travelling and want clear reassurance that the airport environment is safe.
ACI director general Luis Felipe de Oliveira said: “Covid-19 has caused substantial changes in human behaviour and provoked a whole new set of expectations affecting how products and services should be delivered and experienced, and the airport sector is no exception.
“While this dramatic shift presents a major challenge to airport customer experience teams who must meet and exceed a diverse range of new traveller expectations, it also opens new opportunities to improve overall levels of satisfaction.
“However, a key part of this endeavour to build passenger confidence is government support.
“ACI continues to call on governments to take action to implement risk-based, pragmatic approaches, such as mutual recognition of vaccines and interoperable solutions for proof of health status.”