UK Travellers Want Airports to Refocus on Passenger-Handling Functions
On 7 November (Monday), World Travel Market London publishes their research revealing that UK airport operators need to redirect their focus from trying to get people to go shopping, to getting them onto their flights.
More than 30% of responses from passengers regarding the one specific improvement they would like to see at the airport was the demand for better and faster check-in options. Close runners-up of operational aspects of the airport experience on UK travellers’ wish lists were better security (19%), better boarding (13%) and better baggage handling (9%).
Furthermore, the availability of cheaper parking options was requested by 10% of the sample and while another 10% hoped for a better arrivals experience or improved departure lounges.
When broken down based on gender, it shows the majority of demand for operational improvements, like better check-in, security, boarding and bags, comes from women, almost 74% of total women as compared with 70% of men.
Surprisingly, the demand for improving food and drink offers as well as shopping opportunities were mostly emphasised by men.
If the survey was dissected regionally, the respondents in the North East advocated for better check-in options, travellers from East England voiced their opinion by asking for cheaper parking, and the residents of the East Midlands showed interest in faster boarding options.
On the other hand, 70% of respondents are fine with the current level of security at the airport, with 14% wanting them reduced.
Juliette Losardo, the Exhibition Director of World Travel Market London, said, “Airports are a necessary part of many outbound leisure trips. For many travellers, the airport experience does include getting something to eat or buying something you might have forgotten to pack.
“But our survey shows a clear demand from travellers for airport operators to get better at the functional aspects and to improve how quickly passengers and bags are checked in, how quick it is to get through security and how easily flights are boarded.”