Airlines need to address ground transport sales as the most viable and profitable onboard opportunity, according to a recent survey of consumer attitudes toward onboard shopping.

Published: 27 Jul 2009

Airlines need to address ground transport sales as the most viable and profitable onboard opportunity, according to a recent survey of consumer attitudes toward onboard shopping.

An online poll of over 150 travellers, initiated by GuestLogix, revealed that four out of five respondents said that it would be helpful to be able to buy transport tickets onboard their flights. This represents a key revenue opportunity for airlines in the sale of airport transfer tickets, such as bus and train tickets, and share ride and limousine services in destination cities.

It has been estimated that the top 20 Asia-based airlines, measured by passenger trips, serving their top seven busiest airports could generate over US$115 million in annual incremental profits from onboard transport ticket sales on just 10 percent of their passengers buying tickets during flight.

The survey also found that a high number of respondents were comfortable with making onboard purchases, and were already doing so - 63 percent bought items onboard during their last flight. Out of these, the majority of purchases comprised duty-free merchandise (68 percent), followed by food and beverages (F&B) (51 percent).