Terrorism threats deter would-be air travellers

Enhanced security measures at airports worldwide, enforced in the wake of terrorist attacks, have done little to calm the minds of fearful travellers, a recent study of air passengers has revealed.

Despite new security restrictions, many people are still anticipating further terrorist activity on board aircraft, according to Cyprus-based market research firm, Synovate.

The company surveyed 1481 people in the US, UK, Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Singapore and Australia who had travelled by air in the past year and asked for their reaction to additional air travel security restrictions that had been imposed at airports in recent weeks.

Almost half of the travellers surveyed across all markets, believed an onboard terrorist act would take place in the near future.

This sentiment was strongest in the UK, where 67% of passengers questioned anticipated terrorism on board flights – no doubt a reaction to the recent terror alert at UK airports, after a plot to blow up aircraft travelling from Heathrow to the US was foiled.

Air travellers in Australia and the US expressed similar concerns, with 58% and 56% of respondents respectively expressing concerns that more mid-flight terrorism threats were imminent.

Travellers from Singapore and the UK were the most wary of air travel due to terrorism concerns, with 38% of Singapore respondents and 30% of UK respondents indicating that terrorism threats would actually deter them from travelling by plane.

“Following the recent fifth anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York City, it’s not surprising that travellers in the US are still a little nervous about air travel,” said Sheri Lambert, senior vice president of Synovate’s travel & leisure group.

“No matter how tight airport security gets, the idea that planes could potentially be used for terrorist attacks is now firmly planted in everyone’s minds. The reality is that 9/11 has changed the way we travel for the rest of our lives.”

Synovate’s survey also revealed that terror threats and airport security measures were determining travel patterns and trends, with 23% of air travellers in Singapore and 22% in the US claiming the new restrictions would actually deter them from travelling outside their country.

Surprisingly, only 15% of respondents in the UK, which has extremely stringent requirements at airports, indicated that the new security rules would deter their international travel.

Of all the travellers surveyed, 17% said new security requirements would deter them from travelling by plane for leisure, and 10% indicated they were less likely to travel by plane for business.

However, only one-third of respondents deemed flying a less appealing option than a few years ago.

This sentiment was led by US travellers surveyed; almost half of respondents said air travel was not as appealing as it used to be.

Interestingly, 31% of all travellers surveyed said the ‘no liquids on board’ requirement was “just too much to ask”.

“Frustration with the additional requirements is high among some consumers, but this is still a new way for people to travel”, said Lambert.

“Like all new regulations put into place, travellers will eventually get used to them.

However, consistency from airport to airport is critical.

If the security measures are consistent, then passengers’ comfort with the new measures will increase as well.”

However, US officials recently eased restrictions on air passengers taking liquids on board.

Passengers are now allowed to carry toiletry items weighing less than 3oz that fit in a small, clear, zip-topped plastic bag, through security checkpoints.

Drinks bought in secure boarding areas will also be allowed on board.

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