{"id":201721,"date":"2025-06-12T09:40:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T07:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=201721"},"modified":"2025-08-11T17:14:39","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T15:14:39","slug":"francais-transport-avion-fnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/francais-transport-avion-fnam","title":{"rendered":"The French remain loyal to air transport"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here's a survey that has certainly pleased the airline world and challenges the idea that the French are increasingly hostile to flying. A survey by the FNAM<\/a> (F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Nationale de l'Aviation et de ses M\u00e9tiers) carried out with the Union of French Airports<\/a> and the support of Air France-KLM<\/strong> analysed the sociology of air passengers and the relationship between the French and air travel. The findings are likely to challenge many preconceived ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a0Air travel is often described as the transport of the elite. But it's exactly the opposite. Planes are used by all social classes because they are a useful, even necessary, means of transport.<\/strong>. 65 % of the French<\/strong> have a neutral view of aviation, believing that flying is neither good nor bad. Our survey shows that the proportion of people from lower socio-professional groups on board aircraft is rising steadily. They will account for 52% of all passengers in 2024. And almost 60% of people living in rural communities (with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants) take the plane. This justifies the importance of regional coverage<\/em>\" describes Pascal de Izaguirre<\/span>Chairman of the FNAM.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The figures bear this out. According to the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC), the number of passengers has risen by 20 million between 2016 and 2024<\/strong>This represents an increase of 11% for 206 million passengers in 2024. According to the FNAM and UAF survey, 65 % of French people say they travel by plane<\/strong>including 33 % at least once a year. In the overseas territories, this proportion is even higher, reaching 95%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another misconception has been challenged: the younger generation, more sensitive to the ecological argument, are nonetheless the biggest consumers of flights. The under-35s account for 46% of all passengers, even though they represent only a quarter of the French population. \"\u00a0Once again, this segment is driven by VFR (Visit friends and relatives) and leisure travel.<\/em>\" says Pascal de Izaguirre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business travel dropping down the list of reasons for flying<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While the proportion of passengers taking the plane to go on holiday remained stable (48 % of users), trips to visit family or friends increased by 46 %. On the other hand, decline in business travel confirmed<\/strong>. Between 2016 and 2024, it lost 7 million passengers, a decrease of 15%<\/strong>. However, business travel remains the third largest source of air travel. <\/strong>with 41 million passengers last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\u00a0There has been a clear decline in round trips to domestic destinations and regional destinations where alternative transport services exist<\/em>\" adds the FNAM Chairman. The survey also shows that air travel is preferred for journeys outside France. Barely a fifth of travellers claim to use it for journeys within France. For 57% of those questioned, the plane is often the only solution for reaching certain distances.<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>Low prices remain the main driver of demand<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to air travel, French people who fly or want to fly say they are prepared to adapt their behaviour to limit their impact. 73% say they would feel encouraged to fly if the industry became more decarbonised<\/strong>. The French seem to be relatively confident that the ecological impact of air travel will be reduced in the future: 70% believe that the sector will gradually decarbonise over the next few years, and 61% think that concrete efforts are already being made in this direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the price argument remains the strongest. 79% of those questioned said they would fly more if prices became more attractive<\/strong>. An argument which, in the eyes of politicians, justifies the increase in taxes, since it would discourage potential passengers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet the French remain proud of their air transport. It is still seen as a symbol of technological progress, but also as an essential element of innovation, social cohesion and regional development. 78 % recognise that it is essential to the economic and tourism development of these regions<\/strong>. And the FNAM points out that the ever-increasing taxation of air transport runs counter to the principles of solidarity and development throughout France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n