According to a report from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), young people aged 18 to 34 are leading aviation’s revival.
A consumer trend report orchestrated by the CAA found that nearly two-thirds (65%) of young people said they had taken a flight in 2023 compared to less than half (47%) of those aged 55 and over. The results showed a 10% increase from 55% before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UK CAA’s report also looked at factors such as the rates of consumer satisfaction and concerns about the environmental impact of flights, with the latter growing in concern in the last five years. While five years ago 44% of respondents said they were concerned about the environmental impacts of flying, present-day concern has increased to 76%. However, only 7% of passengers who had not flown in the previous 12 months indicated this was due to their environmental concerns.
Meanwhile, passenger satisfaction has declined overall, currently sitting at 79%. Satisfaction has decreased most sharply among those aged 55 and over, as well as disabled people. This result also aligns with digital confidence by consumers. Responders who consider themselves confident when using electronic devices remain 80% satisfied with their 2023 experiences, whereas the satisfaction of less digitally confident passengers fell from 71% to 66% compared to last year.
Anna Bolwes, Head of Consumer at the UK CAA, said: “It is encouraging to see air travel among younger demographics on the rise after the impact that COVID-19 had on aviation and that passengers are returning to the skies more frequently.
“However, the continued decline in satisfaction with the overall travel experience shows that the industry needs to do more to ensure that they understand the expectations of their passengers and that they are meeting these.”
She also noted that the survey underlines the reluctance of passengers with disabilities and older passengers to return to travel by air. “It is vital that, particularly in the ever-evolving digital evolution of the travel industry, those with disabilities and older passengers are not left behind by the sector.”
She concluded: “The findings of the Aviation Consumer Survey are a timely reminder to industry that accessibility must remain a top priority across the board, and that we will continue to hold airlines and airports to account to protect consumers.”
