Nearly one in five Brits consider UK staycation next year - to avoid disruptions
Nearly a fifth of holidaymakers (18%) are considering a staycation next summer rather than going abroad – after 71% have faced a flight delay or cancellation in the last 12 months.
A survey of 1,330 Brits, who have taken an overseas trip in the last year, found that 13% have lost money due to flight problems, after having to book emergency accommodation.
And almost two-thirds (64%) did not receive any compensation for the issues they faced – with 45% left frustrated, as it was not explained to them how the problems would be resolved.
Six in ten (61%) feel flight delays or cancellations are not always properly explained to passengers, with 58% having struggled to get to the bottom of why their travel plans have been disrupted.
And over a quarter (27%) have ended up missing a connecting flight – with 16% heading straight to social media to bemoan the airlines. It also emerged that it takes a delay of just 64 minutes before travellers begin to get riled up.
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However, 84% said they would be more understanding about delays or cancellations if the airlines were transparent about the issues they are encountering.
And six in ten feel these travel disruptions are not always properly explained to passengers (SWNS)A spokesman for IBS Software, the travel technology specialist which commissioned the study, said: “Nobody likes hold-ups, and this is especially true when travelling abroad – whether that’s for a holiday, or a work trip.
“It is understandable travellers get frustrated when they feel like their plans – which many have been looking forward to for a considerable amount of time – might be in jeopardy.
“But what this research shows is a significant number would actually be content with the delay, if they were just kept in the loop more effectively.
“Weather, secondary delays and issues are a daily challenge, but the industry can help regain confidence from passengers by using better technology to resolve these delays in minutes, not hours, and communicating with passengers.”
The study, conducted via OnePoll.com, also found that at the early organising stages of a trip, 45% already worry they will incur problems with their departure time when at the airport.
And 45% expect their journey won’t run seamlessly, following many of the issues the travel industry has faced over the last 12 months.
More than half of travellers (53%) understand weather conditions are the most common causes for troubles before take-off, and 30% put it down to staff shortages.
However, the knock-on impact of long waits has now caused holidaymakers to reconsider the airlines they will fly with next summer – and even of those who did receive compensation for travel issues faced, over half (53%) said this did not make up for missing out on the precious holiday time lost.
The IBS Software spokesman added: “This research really highlights the importance the travel industry needs to put on reducing the impact of delays and cancellations – especially the need to communicate clearly with passengers.
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“This will have longer term ramifications, with many considering alternative airlines and travel plans altogether. Airlines need to rebuild trust with their passengers, and it’s clear better communication can go a long way to repairing this.
“Achieving this means managing flight disruption by giving airlines the insight they need to keep passengers informed – too often, the legacy IT systems many airlines use exacerbate delays.”
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