UK leads demand for low cost flights

Wednesday, 13 Mar, 2006 0

More than four out of 10 UK adults (41%) have flown with a low cost airline, new research shows.

This puts Britain at the top of the European league table for flying with budget carriers.

The proportion of people using low cost flights is between two and three times higher than in the other four countries surveyed, according to the study from market information group, TNS.

The Low Cost Carrier Monitor, which interviewed 13,000 people in France, the UK, Italy, Germany and Spain, shows that Italy is in second place behind the UK, with one fifth of people (20%) using low cost airlines. This compares with just one in eight (13%) people in Germany, France and Spain who have flown with a no-frills carrier.

The research shows that in both the UK and Italy, consumers are particularly interested in low-price flights and are ready to accept a lower standard of comfort and service in return.

In contrast, people in Germany express a preference for service and comfort, while those in Spain have the strongest doubts about the safety of low cost carriers.

TNS Infratest senior research consultant Michael Ehlting said: “The outlook for airlines offering low fare tickets varies considerably across each of the countries.

“While in the UK and Italy airlines can generate customer loyalty through low-price offers, there seems to be a general perception among the German public that real bargains are very hard to come by. The German consumer is more likely to be persuaded to choose the same airline again by a good overall service and by the ‘personal’ touch.”

Report by Phil Davies

Phil Davies

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