Direct air-link key for passenger's airline selection: Flydubai

UAE-based flydubai on Monday said direct air links between countries is the key determinant of its passengers' choice for an airline following the value-for-money proposition of the carrier.

In a survey of its 4,000 passengers conducted by the airline, it was found that direct connectivity influenced 37 percent of the travellers in selection of the airline with 24 percent of people stating the returns on their money.

The company has integrated feedback mechanism on-board with the in-flight entertainment system through which it is able to understand customer choices and preferences.

"From the latest technology on board our aircraft we are able to have access, through the in-flight entertainment system, to every passenger and hear their views. The data we are capturing shows travel patterns as well as behaviour...", the carrier's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith said in a statement.

It said passenger feedback to be a determinant factor while launching the budget carrier's business class.

"The research shows that flydubai's business class appeals to a younger traveller with 43 percent of passengers under the age of 34 and 27 percent aged between 35 and 44 years old," the company said.

According to the carrier, the frequency of travel across its flight network showed that 26 percent of passengers from Africa travelled monthly, 29 percent from Kuwait, 21 percent from Saudi Arabia, 13 percent from India, 17 percent from Russia, 15 percent from the Caucasus and Central Asia, and 21 percent from Eastern Europe.