ABTA calls for improved transport links and airport capacity
ABTA is calling for more airport capacity and better transport links to airports as it reveals passengers want short journey times to airports.
The association has submitted its response Government’s Airports Commission which is looking at future airport capacity.
It believes capacity is urgently needed in the congested South-East of England and that the mix of aviation models, including business and leisure, must be properly recognised.
Almost half of respondents to the ABTA 2012 annual consumer survey said that a journey time to the airport of under an hour is acceptable with 33% saying between one and two hours was.
62% prefer to fly from their local airport and nearly a third of people are not happy to take a connecting flight.
ABTA says this highlights the importance of having an increased and wide range of direct flight options throughout the regions.
Driving is still the most popular method for getting to the airport, with over half of Brits going by road, including by taxi.
Only a quarter take public transport to the airport apart from in London where 35% use the train, coach and underground options on offer.
Only one in ten respondents said they do not travel by plane, showing the importance of air travel.
Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive said: "It’s essential that when the Government looks at airport capacity particularly in the South East, it recognises the interdependence of business and leisure travel and does not prioritise one over the other.
" It also needs a coherent policy on improving surface access to the airports. Passengers want short journeys to the airport and many are not willing to take connecting flights.
"The extension of HS2 to run via Heathrow would be a firm declaration of intent and would undoubtedly prove a great success with passengers both from the UK and overseas."
Diane
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