Poll shows demand for regional airports
The option to fly from a nearby airport is almost as important to holidaymakers as the cost of a flight, according to a survey by Holidays Direct.
The online travel company, part of the Midlands Co-op Travel Group, asked customers to pick from a list of the most important factors they consider when booking flights.
While 44% said cost, 37% said location of departure airport, followed by 11% who said the time of the flight was the most important consideration.
None of the respondents said internet check-in was important, but for 4% the most important factor was the option to choose their seat, and for another 4% the reputation of airline.
Paul Reeve of www.holidays-direct.co.uk said: “When we carried out the survey we fully expected cost to be the defining factor, but we have noticed a change in the behaviour of our customers over the last few years, following the mass expansion of local airports in the UK.”
“People are now very used to being able to fly to their favourite holiday destinations from their nearest airport.
“The days when holidaymakers from the north of England were willing to waste a day of their annual leave just to get to Heathrow Airport are long gone.
“The option to cut down travelling time by flying from an airport near to home is especially important to people taking family holidays with small children. Many people will simply choose another holiday destination rather than have to travel from a less convenient airport.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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