Ministers are to explore the use of technology to create ‘seamless’ door-to-door journeys for air passengers, including multi-modal ticketing, as part of the Government’s forthcoming aviation strategy.
The Department for Transport (DfT) has published next steps document for its aviation strategy, due next year, which it said outlines proposals to ‘build on the aviation industry’s work to improve the flying experience for passengers at every stage of their journey’.
Aviation minister Baroness Sugg said: ‘Working with industry, we want to improve the flying experience from booking to arrival, ensuring passengers are truly at the heart of the aviation sector.
‘This demonstrates our commitment to creating a transport system which works for passengers as we build a Britain fit for the future.’
The document states: ‘The government also wants to better understand how innovations in technology can be used to create a more seamless and personalised experience for the whole journey from door-to-door, ensuring passengers have the information they need when making choices about how to travel to the airport. This could include the options available for parking and the costs associated with them, and the speed and reliability of the available modes of public transport.’
It adds: ‘The government is undertaking research on whether more should be done to support multi-modal ticketing. This research is looking at existing examples of multi-modal tickets, both in other transport modes in the UK, and in those other countries where plane journeys are already offered as part of an integrated ticket.’
Officials said the strategy will include new measures to help passengers make a more informed choice about their flight, including providing more transparency on additional costs.
The document also outlines how the Government will work with industry ‘to ensure all passengers have a dignified and comfortable travelling experience’, including improving accessibility at airports and on aircraft and tackling the issue of disruptive passengers.
It retains the same six objectives that ministers set out in a call for evidence last summer:
- Help the aviation industry work for its customers
- Ensure a safe and secure way to travel
- Build a global and connected Britain
- Encourage competitive markets
- Support growth while tackling environmental impacts
- Develop innovation, technology and skills
The DfT said the document included details of an ‘ambitious plan to make Britain’s aviation sector the world’s greenest….'
The document states: 'Policy options that the government intends to explore include setting noise targets and aviation specific air quality targets...'
Neil Carberry, the CBI’s managing director for infrastructure and people, said: ‘A clear and practical plan is vital to opening up international trade, boosting growth in every region and delivering the Government’s industrial strategy.
‘But with airports and airlines needing to make investment decisions now, the Government must also provide a clear policy framework that enables the best use of existing capacity at the earliest possible opportunity.’
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