An IATA survey has found significant regional differences in how travellers book, pay and move through airports.
The study of 10,000 people found those in Asia-Pacific and in Africa were the most satisfied with the air travel experience. Asia-Pacific passengers are the world’s most digitally savvy, with nearly half (46%) preferring to pay for travel using digital wallets such as Alipay, PayPal and Apple Pay, well above the global average of 28%, says IATA.
Among travellers under 25, digital wallet usage jumps to 63%. Credit cards, by contrast, are less popular in Asia-Pacific, with just 55% using them compared with 72% globally. Asia-Pacific passengers are also among the most frequent users of biometric processes at airports, with 55% having used the technology in the past year. However, satisfaction with those experiences is the lowest of any region, adds IATA.
African and Latin American travellers place a high value on human interaction, with greater reliance on airline offices, call centres and in-person bookings, while African passengers are also the most likely to be deterred from travel by visa complexity and cost. Middle Eastern passengers have strong loyalty to preferred airlines and airports, and are the most willing to use biometric technology. The study also found that European travellers are cautious, favouring traditional booking channels and card payments while showing the lowest approval of biometrics and data sharing.
North American passengers prioritise convenience, placing a premium on shorter journey times and fewer connections (81% v 65% globally but also have the strongest concerns globally about data privacy (61%), adds the airline body.
