The travel industry needs to do more to communicate that flying is
safe, according to new research published by flight information provider OAG.
A survey of 4,004 travellers from around the world carried out
during July and August reveals that most travellers are concerned about
catching the Covid virus on a plane.
Among European respondents, 45 per cent believed they would catch
it onboard, compared with 16 per cent at the airport, 14 per cent on public
transport and 10 per cent in the destination.
OAG says, “The major path to rebuilding confidence lies
with the industry more aggressively communicating to travellers what it is
doing to ensure flying is safe.”
The survey also found that a third of travellers had not
adjusted their travel habits and do not plan to as a result of the virus. For
those that are adjusting their habits, 37 per cent say they will fly if it is
critical, 25 per cent will fly directly and avoid using connecting flights and
airports and 10 per cent will fly during off-peak times.
Some 73
per cent of Europeans say they plan to fly domestically in the next six months,
compared to 69 per cent who are planning to fly internationally, it said.