The Chronicle Herald (Provincial)
Transitioning to a new normal in air travel
With Thanksgiving behind us, many are starting to plan for the second holiday season during the pandemic, and thoughts of reuniting with family and friends or just getting away from it all abound. Air travel has been one sector that has suffered profoundly during the past 18 months. We were curious to explore whether Canadians are comfortable transitioning back to air travel, and how their expectations might have changed because of the pandemic.
Just over half of Canadians (54 per cent) anticipate flying at least once within the next six months. Of those who expect to fly, the vast majority (93 per cent) plan to fly for leisure purposes, while only one-quarter plan to travel for business.
Although Canadians have expressed a pent-up demand to travel, they share mixed opinions when considering their comfort level with flying. Close to half express high levels of comfort with flying in the next year, while onethird would be uncomfortable flying during that time frame.
Comfort levels with flying are generally consistent across the country, although younger residents (those under the age of 35), males, those who have flown in the past 18 months, and those who were frequent fliers pre-pandemic have greater comfort levels.
To address travellers’ concerns, airlines and airports have implemented health and safety protocols, and those clearly make a difference to most.
When asked what impact specific health and safety protocols have, Atlantic Canadians told us they would be largely comforted by enhanced air filtration and circulation on board, frequent cleaning and sanitization, mandatory mask wearing in terminals and on planes, and proof of vaccine protocols.
At least three-quarters of residents indicated that each of those actions would increase their comfort level in flying and help to minimize stress. Further, Atlantic Canadians are more likely than Canadians overall to indicate that each action increases their comfort level in flying.
Atlantic Canadians place significant importance on having clear communication regarding pandemic restrictions, having visible enforcement of those restrictions, and posting regular cleaning and sanitizing schedules. In addition, more than eight in 10 deem it important for airlines and airports to implement mandatory employee vaccinations.
Interestingly, the level of importance placed on these actions is equally strong among those who plan to travel within the next six months as among those who do not.
Across the country, residents strongly support implementing a mandatory vaccine passport for air travel on planes (85 per cent). This opinion was shared before the federal government’s announcement of its mandate for proof-of-vaccination to travel domestically, starting Oct 30.
Similarly, nine in 10 Canadians say it is important to have consistent health and safety protocols across the country for airports and airlines, with perceived importance increasing with age.
While air travel in Atlantic Canada and across the country continues to be well below pre-pandemic levels, our research highlights that continued implementation of health and safety protocols will be instrumental in transitioning to a new normal in air travel. Atlantic Canadians strongly endorse health and safety protocols, and businesses in any sector should take note of this support.
Indeed, research we conducted a few months ago found similar results for what would be needed for residents to return to “normal” interactions with businesses. Businesses’ continued diligence and attention in these areas will be fundamental in transitioning out of this pandemic.
Data in this article is drawn from an online national survey conducted with 1,238 Canadians through Logit’s monthly omnibus, conducted Oct. 4 and 5.