British passengers care more about flights departing on time than cutting aviation emissions, according to a new survey that reveals shifting priorities in air travel. Some 63% of UK adults said ensuring planes take off and land punctually should be the industry's top focus.
By comparison, 56% of respondents prioritised reducing emissions from aircraft. The figure for cutting emissions has risen from 53% in 2024, but remains well below the 70% recorded in 2020.
Government targets net zero by 2050
Air traffic control provider Nats commissioned the research as the Government maintains its target for the UK aviation industry to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. There are growing concerns that green policies, such as using more sustainable aviation fuel, could push up air fares for passengers.
Nats said it has worked closely with aviation partners over the past year to improve punctuality and resilience. The company has introduced tools including intelligent approach technology, which optimises the distances between arriving aircraft.
French strikes cause UK delays
The air traffic control provider was responsible for just 1.2% of total delays to flights en route to Europe in June, despite handling nearly a quarter of all air traffic. Thousands of UK airline passengers have suffered delays in recent months because of industrial action by French air traffic control staff.
The survey found that 52% of UK adults had flown internationally in the previous 12 months, while 32% took domestic flights. Some 26% of respondents expected to fly more frequently in the following year.
Growing support for aviation technology
There appears to be increasing acceptance of aviation innovation, including drones, flying taxis and artificial intelligence-enabled services. Some 68% of respondents supported using AI to screen bags, while 50% favoured it managing flight routing.
Simon Warr, Nats' communications director, said: "The 2025 Aviation Index highlights the public's clear priorities: reliable service, greater environmental performance, and smart use of innovation. As the aviation industry continues to modernise, aligning with these expectations will be key to maintaining public trust and delivering the benefits aviation brings to society."
The survey of 1,217 UK adults was conducted online by research company Ipsos on April 9 and 10.
(PA/London) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
