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Wednesday, 12 May 2010 12:18 |
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More than 80% of people will continue to fly despite the impact of the volcanic ash cloud which shut Europe’s skies for almost a week, a new study shows.
Almost a quarter of people responding to a survey by online company Travelzoo in the UK had their travel plans affected in some way by the disruption caused by the ash cloud.
But 84% feel no differently about how much they will travel by aircraft in the future, according to the poll of 603 people.
There are 15% who say they are less likely to travel by aircraft, with those affected 56% less likely to travel by plane than those who were not.
The study found that 12% of respondents are now more interested in a UK holiday, with 64% no more or less interest in changing their travel preferences than before the volcanic disruption.
Additionally, 7.5% are more interested in a continental driving holiday by ferry or Channel Tunnel.
But less than half (44%) thought the travel industry's reaction to the disruption was either very good or good. This increased to 51% by those who were affected
The poll found that 65% of respondents think it is the travel providers' responsibility to compensate passengers.
However, 17% of those affected feel the responsibility should be the government/taxpayer - almost twice as high as those who were not affected.
A quarter of those unaffected thought it was the passengers’ own responsibility
A total of 42% think passengers should receive compensation for flights, accommodation and reasonable daily expenses - exactly the same whether they were affected or unaffected
Travelzoo UK managing director Joel Brandon-Bravo said: “We were pleased to find that over half of respondents believe the reaction of the British travel industry was good given the exceptional circumstances and 84% won't change their plans to fly in the near future.
“The survey also revealed that nearly two thirds of people think the travel provider is the responsible party when it comes to compensation.
“Fortunately the ash cloud has not deterred people from travelling in the near future and this is great news for the travel industry.”
by Phil Davies, TravelMole
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