PHOTO
A new survey revealed this Tuesday that 43 percent of UAE travellers will wait another six months before flying again due to fears over COVID-19.
The research comes from Inmarsat, a satellite telecom company that provides communications to aircraft, shipping and the military. Its Passenger Confidence Tracker also noted that only 4 percent are confident about booking a flight immediately, while 13 percent intend to travel next month.
The research was based on a poll of more than 10,000 passengers around the world, including 500 from the UAE.
While many travellers from the UAE seem confident about flying again in less than a year, they still have concerns about air travel, such as having to go through quarantine at their destinations and unpredictable border closures during their journeys.
The research was based on a poll of more than 10,000 passengers around the world, including 500 from the UAE.
While many of them seem confident about flying again in less than a year, travellers from the UAE still have concerns about air travel and these include having to go through quarantine at their destination, as well as unpredictable border closures while travelling.
The findings, according to the satellite firm, indicate that UAE travellers are keen to return to the skies “in the near future” and are less concerned about the risk of getting infected while aboard the aircraft.
However, they would return to air travel more confidently only if certain measures were applied along their travel and inflight journey.
“The findings reveal their concerns around points of engagement and the inflight experience. This shows a clear opportunity for airlines to provide new digital services – from medical support to pre-ordered catering and contactless payment during the flight – to boost passenger confidence, while making sure health and safety needs can be fully met,” said Neale Faulkner, Inmarsat Aviation’s regional vice president for the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
“The findings from our [study] suggest a significant shift in travel behaviour is underway, which is likely to reshape air travel for the long term,” he added.
Airline’s reputation matters
The study found that more than a quarter of those surveyed in the UAE would fly only with airlines they trust, while 52 percent said that reputation is now a more significant factor when choosing an airline than it was prior to the pandemic.
These reasons, Inmarsat said, give insight into why more than a third (32 percent) of UAE respondents expressed that they are likely to cut back on air travel.
Despite their concerns, nearly half of those surveyed (46 percent) have been on at least one flight since the pandemic – the third-highest rate after India and the United States.
The study also found that almost half of UAE respondents believe that flying poses no greater risk than visiting a gym, leisure centre of a restaurant/bar.
Concerns
What they’re mostly worried about are the touchpoints they go through on board the aircraft, including being served an inflight meal or visiting the toilet.
Other things like moving around the airport terminal and queuing up at the boarding gate appear to be the least of their concerns. They also expressed more confidence in being around other passengers when compared to their global peers.
(Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Read our full disclaimer policy here.
© ZAWYA 2020
