Keep it simple... passport to stress-free air travel
AIRPORTS must go back to basics and create a smoother experience for passengers, experts have warned.
Priority should be given to better and faster check-ins and improving the transit through the security channels, it was said.
The World Travel Market industry trade show compiled research on Britons’ recent airport experiences.
It found that a fifth of us want the security lanes to be smoother, while 13 per cent look for easier boarding at the gates.
But more than two-thirds of travellers accept that the current level of airport security is necessary, with only 14 per cent saying measures need to be reduced.
Some have argued that many airports have begun to resemble vast shopping malls.
World Travel Market’s Juliette Losardo said: “Airports are a necessary part of many outbound leisure trips.
“For many travellers, the airport experience does include getting something to eat or buying something you might have forgotten to pack.
“But our survey shows a clear demand from travellers for airport operators to get better at the functional aspects and to improve how quickly passengers and bags are checked in, how quick it is to get through security and how easily flights are boarded.”
Britain’s airports have faced months of chaos, marathon queues and lost luggage claims since air travel resumed following the lifting of pandemic restrictions.
The researchers found that one in 10 air passengers wants baggage handling to be given a shake-up.
Just two per cent of those surveyed think the nation’s airports could be improved with more shops, and only six per cent feel the food and drink offering needs an upgrade.
Away from the terminals, the report also found that 37 per cent of British holidaymakers admit to setting the alarm to join the sunrise stampede to reserve a prime spot by the pool with their towels.
And it’s the younger generations who are most likely to leap out of bed at dawn to bag a sunlounger by the pool.
Some 71 per cent of 18 to 24-yearolds sacrifice a holiday lie-in to get up early to reserve their spot.
Queueing
Just one in five aged 55 to 64 bothers to hit the towel trail.
Ms Losardo added: “The early morning rush by holidaymakers to reserve their sunbeds has been going on for decades, but social media has brought the issue to the fore.
“We’ve all seen the many viral videos this summer of people queueing for the pool area to be opened so they can be among the first to put their towels down in their favourite spot.”
The World Travel Market industry trade show starts at the ExCel convention centre in east London on Monday.