British travellers’ attitudes to some of the key issues facing air travel in the UK have been revealed in a survey by TripAdvisor.
The results of the 2013 TripAdvisor Flights Survey have been published, with APD and the impending lift of the liquids ban among the hot topics covered.
With APD, or Air Passenger Duty, set to increase again in April, the research found that it isn’t just industry campaigners who are against it.
The majority of respondents in the survey said they are against the tax, with 77 per cent saying it should be scrapped altogether.
“Flights make up a significant part of the cost of a trip and the results of this research reveal that the ever increasing cost of APD is becoming a real concern for British travellers,” said Emma Shaw, a TripAdvisor spokesperson.
The increase in APD could really hit holidaymakers hard this summer, with 27 per cent saying that the tax will impact on their travel plans this year.
APD isn’t the only thing that’s changing in April though. On a more positive note, the 100ml limit on liquids on flights is set to be lifted across the European Union.
The restriction has been in place since 2006, but is due to be lifted as all airports now have security equipment capable of scanning liquids.
Even though the ban has been in place for more than six years, the TripAdvisor survey found that only 17 per cent of Brits will feel less safe when it’s lifted.
“While the liquid ban was originally implemented for traveller safety, it seems that the majority of Brits won’t feel any less safe when the restriction is lifted later this year,” said Ms Shaw.
The survey also revealed the nation’s favourite airline, with British Airways taking the top spot for the third year in a row.
Virgin Atlantic slipped into third place as popular low-cost airline easyJet beat Sir Richard Branson’s company to be crowned Britain’s second favourite.
