CAA survey shows demand for air travel continues to rise in UK

Passenger numbers at UK airports will continue to rise this year, according to the latest survey from the country’s Civil Aviation Authority.

New data from the CAA shows that nearly a third of consumers (31%) polled in its survey are planning to fly more in 2026 than they did last year.

The survey suggests that a desire to continue flying in 2026 is especially strong among younger consumers.

Nearly half (47%) of 18-34s plan to take more flights this year – against 29% of 35-54 year olds, and those aged 55 and over remaining steady at 22%.

Overall satisfaction with the air travel experience is at an all-time high with 88% saying they are satisfied with their experience, the highest levels since tracking began in 2016.

The data also shows the number of consumers making complaints following disrupted flights has remained stable (15%) and satisfaction with complaints handling has notably increased to 72% (up 10% from last year.)

Selina Chadha, group director of consumers and markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Consumers want to fly more and 2026 is lining up to be another year of growth, fuelled by demand from younger passengers.

“While it is encouraging that 88% of consumers are satisfied with their overall experience of flying, this figure drops for certain vulnerability groups – including those with accessibility/disability needs, those facing digital barriers and those facing financial constraints.

LHR. Image courtesy of OCS.

“It’s good to see passenger satisfaction with complaints handling increasing and we’d encourage the industry to continue focussing on making sure they deal with passenger complaints as efficiently as possible.”

Other findings from this year’s survey show that while over half of consumers (55%) expect their flying habits to stay the same this year, certain vulnerable groups continue to face barriers to flying.

Disabled passengers remain less likely to have flown in the past 12 months (42%) and satisfaction was lower for consumers with disability or accessibility needs (82%), those who are not digitally confident (80%) and financially vulnerable (80%).

Cost remains the most frequently cited barrier to flying, with 36% of non-flyers citing financial limitations as the main reason for not flying in the last 12 months.

However, overall satisfaction with value for money is the highest it has been since 2021 (76%), and while three quarters of consumers say that they are concerned about the environment and climate change, just 32% believe reducing the environmental impact of flying should be the industry’s top priority.