The recent Iata (International Air Transport Association) Global Air Passenger Survey for 2024 highlights how travellers are increasingly relying on convenience and efficiency in their travel choices. Technology plays a key role, with a strong inclination towards the adoption of biometric identification and the advance management of travel procedures before arriving at the airport.

According to the report, 68% of passengers consider the proximity of the airport as the determining factor in selecting the departure point, while 33% consider the reduction of the overall duration of the trip as crucial. Only 25% emphasize the cost of the ticket as the main criterion.

When it comes to booking flights, 71% of respondents prefer to make it on-line or via an app, of which 53% opt for airline platforms and only 16% choose to interact with a human operator. In addition, 32% express the desire to have all information centralized in a single system during the pre-trip phase.

In terms of payments, 79% of passengers choose to use credit or debit cards, showing an increase of 8% compared to 2023. Digital wallets follow, preferred by 20% of respondents (with a 2% increase compared to the previous year), and immediate payment solutions such as IATA Pay, chosen by 7% (+3% compared to 2023). Convenience was indicated as the main reason for choosing a payment method in 70% of cases, followed by the benefits offered (39%) and security (33%).

The survey highlights a clear trend among passengers to prioritize convenience when planning, booking and paying for their trip.