Report: Nearly 70% of Travelers Plan to Fly Internationally in Next 6 Months

Photo source: IATA

Sixty-nine percent of travelers intend to fly internationally within the next six months, while 79 percent have plans for domestic air travel, according to a new report released by OAG, a leading global travel data provider.

According to “The COVID-19 Recovery: Getting Passengers Back on Board” report, which focuses on traveler confidence, overall, fear levels over catching the coronavirus (Covid-19) while flying are tepid, and most consumers are open to air travel, especially millennials and Gen-Z.

“Most consumers, especially younger travelers, are prepared to fly under the right circumstances,” said John Grant, chief analyst at OAG.

“The lack of fear is certainly surprising and bodes well for the market recovery. Of course, full recovery will be driven by how well we fight the pandemic globally and when travel restrictions are safely lifted,” Grant added.

More into the report, nearly one-third of those surveyed said they have not and do not intend to change their travel habits as a result of the pandemic.

How concerned are travelers about catching Covid-19 during travel

Photo source: IATA

On a 10-point scale, more than half of consumers rate concerns over catching Covid-19 while traveling less than five, with 21 percent indicating no fear.

Still, OAG found that sharing real-time information remains critical for building traveler confidence — even before the airport. For example, during the search and booking process, most consumers would value real-time updates and predictions around flight and hotel capacity (61 percent), and Covid-19 transmission rates at intended destinations (53 percent).

Where travelers are most afraid of catching Covid-19 during travel

According to the report, consumers are most afraid of catching coronavirus while on the plane (40 percent), followed by airport terminals (17 percent).

“The major path to rebuilding confidence lies with the industry more aggressively communicating to travelers what it is doing to ensure flying is safe,” the report says.

Masks get thumbs up for safety

Seventy-six percent of travelers agreed mask mandates are the most effective safety measure airlines and airports can implement, followed by improved cleaning procedures.

Photo source: IATA

“With proper safety and sanitation measures top of mind for consumers (and the industry already implementing various improvements), ample opportunity exists for airlines and airports to alleviate concerns by proactively communicating the steps and procedures they are taking to prevent transmission,” OAG notes.

“The COVID-19 Recovery: Getting Passengers Back on Board” report was based on a global survey of over 4,000 users of OAG’s flightview travel app.