Inefficiencies and hassles in the travel system could potentially result in air travelers taking an average of two fewer trips per year at a projected total cost of $71 billion to the U.S. economy, according to a new U.S. Travel Association survey from Ipsos.
Geoff Freeman, CEO, said that when nearly 60% of recent air travelers find the experience the equivalent of or worse than going to the department of motor vehicles, “it is a concerning signal that demands action.” With greater focus, he said, it is well within the federal government’s ability to make improvements across the travel ecosystem.
The impact of traveler frustrations, according to the report, equates to 27 million avoided trips in total and $71 billion in losses for the US economy, including $4.5 billion in lost tax revenue.
Half of air travelers in the survey said they would travel more in the next six months if the experience were less of a hassle. Similarly, business travelers would take an average of two more trips per year if travel frictions improved, resulting in 18 million additional trips and $52 billion in economic impact.
Freeman noted the numerous ways the federal government is failing travelers, such as outdated security screening technology, inconsistent waits at customs and airport security checkpoints and delays of months (or years) for U.S. visitor visas.
The security screening experience travelers encounter today is effectively the same as it was 21 years ago when the TSA was established, said Freeman. While air travel is safer than ever, he said, the process for most air travelers has not evolved. Screening processes and technologies in the US, said Freeman, are falling behind those in other nations.
Freeman cited two near-term opportunities for the US to improve the air travel experience. He first called for a long-term FAA reauthorization bill and confirmation of Michael Whitaker to serve as FAA administrator.
Second, Freeman urged U.S. officials to take a more active role in learning from best practices among global competitors to improve the overall travel experience, such as steps taken by Spain and the UK to relax the rules on liquids in carry-on luggage, thanks to advanced security technology.
