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Local frequent flyers anticipate personal travel to recover faster than business travel

A survey of just over 1,000 Kansas City residents found that when it comes to the airline industry, respondents expect that post COVID-19 personal travelers will go back to normal travel more quickly than business travelers.

The airline industry has been no exception to the list of industries impacted by COVID-19, a local survey of 1,006 Kansas City residents finding that most respondents believe personal air travel will experience a quicker return to normal than business travel.

Respondents surveyed represented individuals across several industry sectors, the survey conducted by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Kansas City Area Development Council, Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and the Kansas City Aviation Department.

Demographics of those who responded to the survey showed 27% were between the ages of 36-45, 23.8% between 46-55 and 20.1% between 26-35.

Of these, 45.6% said business is their primary reason for air travel and 53.7% said personal is their primary reason for air travel. Another 0.7% said they do not use air travel.

Key findings of the survey were drawn from short-term travel responses as well as air service options and safety at Kansas City International Airport (KCI).

The majority of business travelers that were surveyed, 59.1 percent, said they have no plans to travel for the foreseeable future, while 34 percent said they will be traveling for business in the next 90 days or are already traveling.  

Air travelers making trips for personal reasons are returning to air travel at a quicker pace, 47 percent said they have no plans for the foreseeable future and 40 percent say they’re planning to travel in the next 90 days or are already traveling.

Currently, service to 20 cities has been suspended out of KCI due to COVID-19. Both business and personal air travelers said they prefer to see first and second priority in reopening flights given to San Francisco and Boston, respectively.

Both groups also expressed that, when it comes to safety at KCI, they want to see required used of personal protective equipment, social distancing and the use of more touch-free technology.

The full survey can be found here.