Industry Prepares for Summer Flying Ramp Up

More than half of adults in Britain have booked or are considering booking a holiday abroad after the international travel restrictions were eased May 17, with one in five planning to travel within the next three months, according to a survey sponsored by the L3Harris Airline Academy.

One Poll conducted the survey of 2,000 U.K. residents on behalf of the Academy to gauge how people feel about air travel and the impact this will have on pilot demand. The survey found that out of those who have booked a holiday abroad, or are considering booking one, 20% plan to fly within the next three months as soon as restrictions ease, 40% will travel abroad in four to six months’ time for an autumn break, and another 24% will travel within 12 months.

“It is encouraging to see that people across the UK have booked, or are considering booking to fly, within the coming months,” said Robin Glover-Faure, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Commercial Aviation Solutions, L3Harris. “This has been a difficult year for all, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for the aviation industry. We will be working with airlines to deliver the training needs for new and existing pilots supporting the industry’s recovery.”

The international travel restrictions, in place since January 2021, are set to be eased from May 17 in the UK. These will then be reviewed by the government every three weeks, as part of a wider roadmap to reopening.