Air travel to nose dive?

But will people even get on planes in the current economic environment? Across the markets surveyed, Synovate asked air travellers to choose one answer that best summed up the effect of fuel surcharges and increased costs of air travel for their situation. The study was conducted in July and, in cautiously good news for airlines, the highest overall answer was 39% who said 'I would consider looking for airlines offering cheaper flights'. This was the highest in Brazil at 62%, followed by Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) at 48%.

Synovate's CEO for the UK, Michelle Norman, said people are not necessarily curtailing their travel plans, but they are bargain-hunting on prices.

"There was strong demand for budget carriers over the summer – people have not been willing to cancel their summer breaks. Budget airlines are a well-established means of travel in the UK, plus domestic holidays have the reputation of being rather expensive.

"The true test for the airlines – and the sustainability of their passenger loads – is about to come though. With a rocky economy and the traditionally slower winter period approaching, we may see some carriers running a little emptier and suspending some routes," she said.

Eighteen percent of Thais, 17% of Germans and 16% of Britons and Americans said they would now consider alternative modes of transport for their travel.

"As people ponder planes, trains or automobiles, we need to also realise the impact of all the talk of carbon footprints. Certainly in Germany and the UK, there has been huge publicity about this and how other means of transport like trains may be better for the environment," Ms Norman said.

Back to front page   |  On to next section > 

> Transactional travel or sky-high service?

> The seat of power

> Up in the air about intimacy

> Children shouldn't be seen, or heard

> How can an airline fly high?

> About the Synovate global air travel survey