AIR TRAVEL PREFERENCES BY POPULATION SEGMENT: RESULTS FROM A UNITED KINGDOM HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

摘要

The paper examines data from an air travel household survey in the East Midlands region of the United Kingdom. Air travel preferences are examined, and in particular how these preferences vary across population segments. Distinct population segments are generated from a range of socioeconomic variables (age, gender, current status, income, presence of children in the household) and air travel variables (flown the previous year, split of business & leisure travel) from the air travel survey, using cluster analysis. Cluster analysis is an exploratory statistical technique, used for market segmentation purposes to develop meaningful subgroups of individuals. The air travel preferences of each generated population segment are then analysed. Air travel attitudes and behaviour variables within the survey concern holiday preferences; opinion towards economic and environmental issues associated with aviation; and price sensitivity towards air fare changes. The statistical relationships developed provide an insight into air travel preferences amongst different population segments, to the benefit of the aviation industry and associated policymakers.