UK’s aviation sector to grow this year according to new data

New data from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) suggests that 2026 is set to be another year of growth for the UK aviation sector, underpinned by strong passenger demand and rising satisfaction with the flying experience.

According to the CAA’s latest annual consumer survey, almost two thirds of respondents, 62 per cent, have flown in the past 12 months, while nearly a third, 31 per cent, plan to fly more in 2026 than they did last year. A further 55 per cent expect their flying habits to remain unchanged, indicating a stable and resilient demand base.

Growth intentions are particularly pronounced among younger consumers. Three quarters of 18 to 34 year olds flew in the past year, with almost half, 47 per cent, planning to increase their flying in 2026. This compares with 29 per cent of those aged 35 to 54, while passengers aged 55 and over remain steady, with 22 per cent planning to fly more.

Overall satisfaction with flying has reached its highest level since the survey began in 2016, with 88 per cent of consumers reporting they are satisfied with their experience. Satisfaction with complaints handling has also improved significantly. While the proportion of passengers making complaints following disruption has remained stable at 15 per cent, satisfaction with how complaints are handled has risen to 72 per cent, up 10 percentage points year on year.

Commenting on the findings, Selina Chadha, Group Director of Consumers and Markets at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said demand for flying remains strong, particularly among younger passengers, positioning 2026 as another growth year for the sector. She also noted that while overall satisfaction is high, it remains lower among certain vulnerable consumer groups, including passengers with accessibility or disability needs, those facing digital barriers and those experiencing financial constraints.

The survey highlights ongoing disparities in experience. Disabled passengers are less likely to have flown in the past 12 months, at 42 per cent, and satisfaction levels are lower among passengers with disability or accessibility needs at 82 per cent. Satisfaction also drops to 80 per cent for those who are not digitally confident or who are financially vulnerable. Cost remains the most commonly cited barrier to flying, with 36 per cent of non flyers pointing to financial limitations.

Despite this, satisfaction with value for money has reached its highest level since 2021, at 76 per cent. While three quarters of consumers express concern about the environment and climate change, only 32 per cent believe reducing the environmental impact of flying should be the industry’s top priority.

Responding to the survey, Karen Dee, chief executive of AirportsUK, said the results demonstrate airports’ continued focus on service quality, while acknowledging further work is needed to ensure flying is accessible and positive for all passengers.

To discover how the aviation industry is balancing this surge in passenger demand with the urgent need for a sustainable energy transition and net-zero targets, register for our webinar, ‘What does airport transformation mean in reality?’ 

This session goes beyond the statistics to explore how airports can build operational resilience against climate change while ensuring that the transformed passenger experience remains accessible, understandable, and efficient for every traveller.

Register now

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