9 February 2012
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8 May 2009
UK air passengers urged to lobby for world-class airports
The UK’s largest independent travel retailer, The Co-operative Travel, is urging its customers to lobby for better standards at the nation’s airports, before the end of the Department for Transport’s public consultation on 1 June.
Research conducted by The Co-operative Travel shows that the public are largely dissatisfied with the services and facilities at UK airports and that they would like to see more investment to improve standards.
According to The Co-operative Travel 65% of customers are dissatisfied with airport baggage reclaim systems, 60% unhappy with the choice and quality of catering and 58% are dissatisfied with parking facilities.
People were also asked which of the facilities at some of the world’s leading airports they would like to see in the UK. Most popular was the introduction of 24 hour access to all facilities (29%) such as restaurants and shops, followed by more comfortable seating and rest areas (21%) and better food outlets with more healthy and affordable food choices (14%).
Trevor Davis, Director of Retail Distribution at The Co-operative Travel said: “UK airports are failing to reach world class standards for customer service. This is shown by our research and also by industry awards. For example, no UK airport made the top 10 in the Skytrax World Airport awards*, which is collated from the responses of 8.2 million passenger questionnaires, or even the top three European airport category.
“The current government consultation is an opportunity for UK air passengers to make their opinions known and influence areas for future investment. We’ll be encouraging all our customers to make their views heard and lobby for better standards.”
People who want to contribute to the consultation with their comments about the quality passenger services at UK airports should write or e-mail the Department for Transport before 1 June**, or can take part in a survey on The Co-operative Travel’s website (insert URL) to register their opinion of their local airport.
Research conducted by The Co-operative Travel shows that the public are largely dissatisfied with the services and facilities at UK airports and that they would like to see more investment to improve standards.
According to The Co-operative Travel 65% of customers are dissatisfied with airport baggage reclaim systems, 60% unhappy with the choice and quality of catering and 58% are dissatisfied with parking facilities.
People were also asked which of the facilities at some of the world’s leading airports they would like to see in the UK. Most popular was the introduction of 24 hour access to all facilities (29%) such as restaurants and shops, followed by more comfortable seating and rest areas (21%) and better food outlets with more healthy and affordable food choices (14%).
Trevor Davis, Director of Retail Distribution at The Co-operative Travel said: “UK airports are failing to reach world class standards for customer service. This is shown by our research and also by industry awards. For example, no UK airport made the top 10 in the Skytrax World Airport awards*, which is collated from the responses of 8.2 million passenger questionnaires, or even the top three European airport category.
“The current government consultation is an opportunity for UK air passengers to make their opinions known and influence areas for future investment. We’ll be encouraging all our customers to make their views heard and lobby for better standards.”
People who want to contribute to the consultation with their comments about the quality passenger services at UK airports should write or e-mail the Department for Transport before 1 June**, or can take part in a survey on The Co-operative Travel’s website (insert URL) to register their opinion of their local airport.
Notes to editors
*The Skytrax world airport awards are based on over 8.2 million questionnaires completed by passengers covering more 190 airports worldwide** Contact details for submissions for the Department for Transports public consultation
David Hart
Head of International Networks Analysis and Support
Department for Transport
1/26 Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Email: david.hart@dft.gsi.gov.uk
The Co-operative Travel’s airport innovations research was carried out on 29 April 2009 at www.co-operativetravel.co.uk and was completed by 612 customers.
Top Ten Most Desired Improvements to Airport Facilities
1. 24 hour access to all facilities (such as restaurants and shops) like at Dubai airport – 29%
2. More comfortable seating and rest areas, Amsterdam airport has long leather couches and sleeper rooms in the transit areas – 21%
3. Better food outlets with more healthy and affordable food choices, Hong Kong airport has over 40 restaurants serving a wide variety of food – 14%
4. More outdoor space for fresh air like the Japanese garden at Honolulu Airport – 12%
5. Passenger lounges like the Virgin V Room at Heathrow which is available for all Virgin customers and includes internet access, children’s play area and free snacks – 10%
6. High quality children’s play areas such as the activity centre at Chicago O’Hare International airport which has airport style games like baggage tagging – 4%
7. Free internet access which is offered at many international airports including Orlando International airport – 4%
8. More onsite entertainment such as video games, free movies, live bands, music lounges and a karaoke bar like at Singapore Changi airport – 3%
9. Beauty salons offering manicures, hair cuts and other treatments like at Munich and Kuala Lumpar airports – 2%
10. Pay-per-use health clubs, Singapore Changi has a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, 24 hour massage and spa facilities -1%
Issued on behalf of The Co-operative Travel by Citypress. For more information, please call Steve Leigh or Mammy Kufuor on 0161 235 0300 or email steve@citypress.co.uk / mammy@citypress.co.uk Back to top | More The Co-operative Travel stories
