New data from U.S. Travel Association shows that travelers are willing to pay more to improve their flying experience. Specifically, results of a survey show that consumers are frustrated with lack of airline competition and are willing to pay $4 more per ticket provided funds are dedicated to system improvements.
The PFC/Open Skies survey was conducted online by Research Now on behalf of U.S. Travel Association. Just over 1,000 interviews were completed over two days in March, and the sample consisted of travelers, aged 18 and older, that had taken at least one air trip in the past 12 months.
Nearly six in 10 air travelers are willing to pay up to $4 more per ticket to fund airport improvement projects that would enable airports to accommodate more airlines, modernize facilities or reduce delays in an around the airport, the survey found.
Of those willing to pay the $4 more, nearly 80 percent said they are still willing to pay the fee upon learning that they are already paying taxes and fees that amount to about 13.7 percent of the ticket price.
In fact, PFCs ranked fifth among the “most frustrating fees” associated with air travel. Even at a round trip rate of $17, the PFC was less frustrating than $200 airline fees for flight changes, $25 airline fees for checked bags, $50 airline fees for seat assignments and the $5 fee to fund the Transportation Security Administration and airport security.
Further, the survey suggests that travelers are particularly frustrated with the lack of choice among air carriers, the result of the consolidation in the industry over the past several years. They oppose a rollback Open Skies agreements between the U.S. and certain countries that allow foreign carriers to compete in the U.S. market and vice versa.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow suggests an increase in PFCs would allow airports to expand terminal space or allow airports to purchase back unused slots and gates.
“Looking at the Big Three airlines’ push to break Open Skies agreements, coupled with their vehement opposition to infrastructure investments through the PFC, it is difficult to reach any conclusion other than they are deathly allergic to competition,” Dow says. “Our survey results clearly illustrate that travelers recognize this as a major problem and want policymakers to do something about it.”
The survey found that 62 percent of respondents said they are “somewhat frustrated” or “very frustrated” with air travel generally, and 72.5 percent think that having fewer airlines to choose from does not reasonably serve the needs of people and businesses that depend on flying.
On Open Skies agreements, 69.4 percent of travelers think the U.S. government should not block foreign airlines from offering more flights and that instead, the U.S. government should take steps to help major U.S. airlines improve their own customer service, lower airfares and become more competitive.
