Air Travel Remains Real World Wide Web as Facebook Won't Replace Face to Face

AsiaNet 49932

TOULOUSE, France, July 6, 2012/ PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Survey highlights opportunities to improve passenger experience

    On the eve of the Farnborough International Airshow, Airbus reveals the

latest findings in a two-year global consultation with more than 1.75 million

people which spells out what passengers want from flying in the future: more

sustainable; less stressful; and more of it, despite social media

revolutionising how we keep in touch.

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120705/543302-a )

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120705/543302-b )

    (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120705/543302-c )

    - 63% of people worldwide say they will fly more by 2050

    - 60% do not think social media will replace the need to see people

face-to-face

    - 96% believe aircraft will need to be more sustainable or 'eco-efficient'

    - Almost 40% feel air travel (door-to-door) is increasingly stressful

    "Aviation is the real World Wide Web," says Charles Champion, Airbus

Executive Vice President, Engineering. "The results of the survey show that

there is nothing better than face to face contact. The world is woven together

by a web of flights that creates ever-expanding social and economic networks:

57 million jobs, 35 per cent of world trade, and US$2.2 trillion in global GDP.

    "Since we launched the Future by Airbus, we have engaged with people in 192

countries in a dialogue about the future of air travel. This resulted in our

revolutionary Airbus Concept Plane and Cabin which offer a glimpse into some of

the innovations that could meet evolving passenger trends and environmental

considerations. It's clear that people are really excited about the future of

sustainable flight and we want them to be part of shaping that future."

    - 86% of people think less fuel burn is key and 85% a reduction in carbon

emissions

    - 66% want quieter aircraft and 65% planes which are fully recyclable

    But Champion notes that as more people fly more often, the greater their

expectations will be for the 'end-to-end passenger experience.' The Airbus

consultation highlights a predictable list of gripes: queues at passport

control; slow check-in and baggage collection; sitting on the tarmac; and

circling in holding patterns around airports.

    "In London for example we've seen concern about queues at airports and

people are understandably not happy about it," he adds. "But the reality is

those capacity constraints are a sign of things to come unless the industry can

work together to cut delays, and with aviation set to double in the next 15

years, that's what we're looking at."

    More than 90 per cent of the EUR2 billion that Airbus spends on Research &

Development is directed at improving the environmental performance of its

aircraft. The latest generation includes the flagship A380, the world's largest

yet quietest commercial aircraft; a fuel efficient 'new engine option' for the

A320 family, the A320neo; and the A350 XWB that will provide a 25 per cent

step-change in fuel efficiency whilst giving passengers more space on board.

    Notes to Editors

    Airbus has engaged with over 1.75 million people through airshows, events

and online since 2010. Its latest findings are based on responses from 10,000

people across 10 countries.

    SOURCE: Airbus S.A.S.