A survey of business travel buyers has revealed that 88 per cent want APD scrapped, almost half think the south east needs more runway capacity and, while 25 per cent will enjoy bigger budgets and book more trips in 2012, over a quarter will buy more lower class airline seats and nearly half will use more travel alternatives.
The survey of 252 buyers was carried out by the Business Travel Show, Europe’s leading corporate travel event, which takes place 7-8 February 2012. Buyers were asked the following questions, which impact the airline industry:
Should APD be scrapped?
- Yes completely: 55%
- Yes but only the 2012 increase: 24%
- Yes but only in exceptional circumstances: 9%
- No:12%
Does the south east need more runway capacity?
How should we increase capacity (only answered by those who said yes to above)?
- A third runway at Heathrow: 48%
- A completely new hub: 37%
- Gatwick expansion: 25%
- Other: 12%
How will you budgets change for 2012?
- Increase: 25%
- Decrease:15%
- Stay same: 46%
- Don’t know:14%
How many trips will you buy in 2012?
- Fewer: 18%
- More: 30%
- The same: 36%
- Don’t know: 16%
How many travellers will you book into a lower class seat?
- Fewer: 8%
- More: 28%
- The same: 48%
- Don’t know: 16%
Will you use travel alternatives more or less?
- More: 45%
- Less: 4%
- The same: 40%
- Don’t know: 11%
More than 6,000 buyers and 200 world-class exhibiting suppliers will be at the Business Travel Show in February, the most comprehensive and diverse range of suppliers in Europe. They include the following airlines, Star Alliance, Virgin Atlantic, United, brand new launch Hong Kong Airlines, Air Astana, Arik Air International, EgyptAir, Ethiopian Airlines, Finnair, Flybe, Japan Airlines, Middle East Airlines, South African Airways, TAM Airlines and Ukraine International Airlines.
To register for a free visitor badge for the Business Travel Show, please visit www.businesstravelshow.com.