The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released public opinion research showing that the willingness to travel is being tempered by concerns over the risks of catching COVID-19 during air travel. The industry’s re-start plans address passenger’s main concerns.
Travellers are taking precautions to protect themselves from COVID-19, with 77% saying that they are washing their hands more frequently, 71% avoiding large meetings and 67% having worn a face mask in public. Some 58% of those surveyed said that they have avoided air travel and 33% suggesting that they will avoid travel in future, as a continued measure to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19.
Concerns for Travel During COVID-19
In a survey conducted across 11 countries, passengers identified three major concerns relating to COVID-19 at the airport and on-board aircraft.
| At the Airport | On Board Aircraft |
|---|---|
| 1. Being in a crowded bus/train on the way to the aircraft (59%) | 1. Sitting next to someone who might be infected (65%) |
| 2. Queuing at check-in/security/border control or boarding (42%) | 2. Using restrooms/toilet facilities (42%) |
| 3.Using airport restrooms/toilet facilities (38%) | 3. Breathing the air on the plane (37%) |
When asked to rank the top three measures that would make them feel safer, 37% cited COVID-19 screening at departure airports, 34% agreed with mandatory wearing of face masks and 33% noted social distancing measures on aircraft.
“People are clearly concerned about COVID-19 when travelling” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s CEO, “But they are also reassured by the practical measures being introduced by governments and the industry”.
The survey also pointed to some key issues in restoring confidence, where the aviation industry needs to communicate the facts more effectively.
Passengers themselves displayed a willingness to play a role in keeping flying safe by:
- Undergoing temperature checks (43%)
- Wearing a mask during travel (42%)
- Checking-in online to minimise interactions at the airport (40%)
- Taking a COVID-19 test prior to travel (39%)
- Sanitising their seating area (38%).
Travellers have not made up their minds about cabin air quality. While 57% of travellers believed that air quality is dangerous, 55% also responded that they understood that it was as clean as the air in a hospital operating theatre.
No Quick Solution
While nearly half of those surveyed (45%) indicated the they would return to travel within a few months of the pandemic subsiding, this is a significant drop from the 61% recorded in the April survey. Overall, the survey results demonstrate that people have not lost their taste for travel; but there are blockers to returning to pre-crisis levels of travel:
- A majority of travellers surveyed plan to return to travel to see family and friends (57%), to vacation (56%) or to do business (55%) as soon as possible after the pandemic subsides
- 66% said that they would travel less for leisure and business in the post-pandemic world
- 64% indicated that they would postpone travel until economic factors improved (personal and broader)
Overall, the survey results demonstrate that people have not lost their taste for travel.
“This crisis could have a very long shadow.”
Dr Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s CEO
“Passengers are telling us that it will take time before they return to their old travel habits. Many airlines are not planning for demand to return to 2019 levels until 2023 or 2024. Numerous governments have responded with financial lifelines and other relief measures at the height of the crisis.”
“As some parts of the world are starting the long road to recovery, it is critical that governments stay engaged. Continued relief measures like alleviation from use-it-or-lose it slot rules, reduced taxes or cost reduction measures will be critical for some time to come.”
Quarantine is a Demand Killer
One of the biggest blockers to an industry recovery is quarantine, IATA claims. Some 85% of travellers reported concerns for being quarantined while travelling, a similar level of concern to those reporting general concern for catching the virus when travelling (84%).
Among the measures that travellers were willing to take in adapting to travel during or after the pandemic, only 17% reported that they were will willing to undergo quarantine.
De Juniac said quarantine is a “demand killer”.
“Keeping borders closed prolongs the pain by causing economic hardship well beyond airlines. If governments want to re-start their tourism sectors, alternative risk-based measures are needed.”
Dr Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s CEO
Source and Data: IATA Press Release. Feature Image: LA Times
For me, the delay in return to flying is waiting for Country Governments to admit traveller’s.
Canada to India is proving difficult on my tourist visa. Please open borders. The “strong Flu” is everywhere now anyways.
I would not consider any international travel even after covid situation improves for at least 2-3 years. I’d take the chance now to support local tourism, travel around own country, support local businesses. That’s the way to do it!
I would fly halfway around the world in a heartbeat, if any airline would address keepIng me safe. I need:
1. A streamlined pass through the airport. (“trusted traveler” and willing to wait very patiently in a secluded place. But I cannot wait in a long line.)
2. A carrel or isolation area around my seat (or around our 2 seats). God bless the lines that are keeping middle seats vacant, but it is not enough.
3. I have experienced Japanese airlines on which the steward cleaned the bathroom after every use: that is needed now, Plus upgraded bathroom ventilation. A 10-15 hour flight cannot be contemplated without safe bathroom availability.
Why is nobody asking about this? No doubt to would be expensive, but the airline could put a price on it. When the USA evacuated citizens this year, they sealed off parts of several planes to segregate the COVID positive from the negative. Why not rig a plane to segregate people who are willing to pay extra? It could be first class … with what may be do-able changes.
And if they are going to do it, even to fly one plane a week to a central port – say LAX – Frankfurt – then advertise! Let us know it is there!
What is keeping me from flying is being forced to wear a mask, flying is uncomfortable enough, we used to fly to 4 different destinations a year ,but will not fly again until the overblown hysteria is gone and we are NOT forced to wear masks, the rest of you who like masks should continue to hide behind your couch at home with a mask on.
We will fly but there is really no where to go. International destinations won’t let us in. Domestically museums, zoos, monuments and points of interest are closed so what to do when you get there. Even restaurants are open, then closed, them open outside etc. Hard to outguess the scenario at any destination. And then the risk of a 14 day quarantine upon returning home.
Not the airlines fault we aren’t traveling.
Airlines’ cost-cutting using COVID as an excuse furthers the disgust travellers have atop airlines’ packing planes in the 85% load factor to break even, risking fliers and crew both. At least the IATA report is reasonably realistic even for a trade group.
I’m a premium cabin international business traveler based in the U.S. Even if I wanted to travel right now, I cannot due to closed borders. It’s simply not an option at this time.
When borders reopen, I will not fly until the onboard experience is restored to an acceptable level. The service cutbacks, done in the name of COVID protection, are nonsense and nothing but cost cutting measures. Bring back my hot towels, multicourse meals, table linens, full bedding amenities and the full suite of lounge services, and I will fly again. Until then, the airlines do not deserve by $100K+ of annual business.
I love traveling, but it’s not going to be happening for me until there is an effective vaccine available. I’m not that old, but I am diabetic which puts me at a huge risk for having permanent damage or death should I contract COVID-19. Surgical or cloths masks are very helpful in most situations. They stop droplets from projecting 6 feet or more in front of you. But they aren’t sealed, so you still get a cloud of droplets 1-2 feet around your head. Now in most situations, that’s OK, but it’s not sufficient if someone else’s head is 1 ft or less away from yours, like they are on a packed plane.
If for some reason I absolutely had to fly, I would find some N95 masks or a full respirator, shave my beard so I can get a tight seal, and fly that way. But it’s not worth the risk for a vacation.
With less planes in the air, and more flights being crammed with passengers, there’s a very good chance the seat next to you won’t be empty. And if that passenger next to you starts coughing or sneezing, even while wearing a face mask (and hopefully wearing it correctly, which isn’t the case with the passengers in the first couple of rows in this picture), you will have no recourse but to just sit there for the duration of the flight praying that no germs or viruses make their way into your mask which you have to breathe through until those doors open. No thanks!
Airlines keep telling us the air on planes is clean. That may be true once airborne. But I’ve had countless experiences in which the air was hot, stagnant, and humid while at the gate prior to the cabin door closing. A perfect recipe for contagion. I wouldn’t risk flying until a vaccine becomes available.
One example of what makes me despair is that at least three people in the first three rows are wearing their masks below their noses.
There is no quick fix for this one. Too many people on this planet without words wide a robust sanitation standard. Travel will be altered for a long time, more work from home, telecommuting and video conferences. The days of hopping on a plane to see a client are all but over. Hotel/airline programs will be pared back as will the proliferation of credit cards and offers, thats a good thing. International travel will be off for awhile, with planes being permanently grounded, and lastly more protectionism pull back from China as the world seeks other sources
For me travel is for fun (non-business). Remember the saying that planning the travel is half the fun, Right now travel planning is NOT fun. Then, after you finish the CHORE of planning, you have to hope the rug doesn’t get pulled from under you by changing conditions. Of course there’s the safety side, of which nobody is really certain. And when you get to where you’re going it is not likely to be the same experience as it would have been in the past (or hopefully in the future). It may even require quarantine or other limitations.
Personally I’ll wait awhile for the fun factor to increase and the concerns to decrease. I am likely to travel before all is “normal”, since who knows how long that will be. But I’ll wait until the overall experience look more enjoyable.
Good post Sam.