ACI: Intention for Travel Highest Since Covid Outbreak

Photo source: Dubai International airport.

Confidence in travel is back on track as more travelers prepare to fly in the coming year marking the highest intention score since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, said the Airports Council International (ACI) World this week.

More specifically, according to ACI’s annual ASQ Global Traveler Survey, 86 percent of those polled are planning to travel by air in 2023.

Additionally, confidence that airports and airlines will provide a safe travel environment has also increased compared to last year and is back to 2020 levels with 81 percent saying they are confident compared to 74 percent a year ago.

Other key takeaways of the survey:

– travelers polled are mainly concerned about the increased costs (77 percent) and complexity (75 percent) related to air travel

– 71 percent of respondents still expect airports to provide measures that keep them feeling safe with 31 percent saying enhanced cleanliness was a priority in this direction

– other concerns include operational disruptions such as long waiting times and crowded airports.

Photo source: @ACI Europe

“It’s clear that passengers have a high intention to travel and have confidence in the industry to provide a safe environment,” said ACI World Director General Luis Felipe de Oliveira, adding that the industry should now focus on implementing a customer-centric approach.

De Oliveira went on to add that key priorities in this direction include airports ensuring enhanced cleaning and increasing the adoption of new technologies, such as providing real-time information, self-service options, and off-airport processing solutions in the wider aviation ecosystem.

Founded in 1991, Airports Council International (ACI) represents the world’s airports serving 717 members and operating 1950 airports in 185 countries.