UK CAA: 2025 Air Passenger Survey Results Show High Satisfaction

• The UK Civil Aviation Authority's 2025 passenger survey interviewed approximately 175,000 departing passengers at eight major English airports.
• Passenger satisfaction reached 8.39 out of 10 in 2025, a slight increase from 8.36 in 2024, despite a 2% rise in total passengers to 225 million.
• Public transport use for airport access increased to 38%, while private transport decreased to 62%, with London City Airport leading in public transport use at 66%.
• Business travel remained at 13% of passengers, primarily aged 35-54, while leisure travel accounted for 87% with a broader age demographic.
• The CAA emphasizes the ongoing importance of reliable, accessible, and efficient travel experiences from doorstep to destination, as transport patterns continue to change.

Johnson underscored the importance of ensuring that all components of the travel experience, from the initial departure point to the final destination and return, are dependable, accessible, and efficient.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published the results of its 2025 annual passenger survey, providing a comprehensive overview of air traveler experiences at some of England's busiest airports. This extensive study involved interviews with approximately 175,000 departing passengers across eight major airport locations. A significant finding from the report is the continued high level of passenger satisfaction, which persists even as the overall volume of air travel experiences growth.

The 2025 data indicates that a total of 225 million passengers passed through the eight airports included in the survey. This figure represents a 2% increase in passenger numbers compared to the preceding year. Despite this rise in traffic, the metric for passenger satisfaction, which gauges how likely individuals are to recommend an airport to others, saw a slight improvement. The satisfaction score for 2025 reached 8.39 out of a possible 10, marking an increase from the 8.36 recorded in 2024.

Beyond overall satisfaction, the CAA's 2025 survey also shed light on evolving trends in how passengers access airports. There has been a noticeable shift towards greater reliance on public transportation options. The proportion of travelers utilizing public transport, including trains, Tubes/metros, or buses, to reach airports rose by one percentage point year-on-year, reaching 38%. Conversely, the use of private modes of transport, such as personal cars or taxis, for airport journeys decreased to 62%.

Specific airports demonstrated leading performance in public transport uptake. London City Airport recorded the highest percentage, with 66% of its passengers arriving via public transport, a one-point increase from 2024. Stansted Airport followed, with 48% of its passengers using public transport, also showing a one-point rise. The survey further detailed travel purpose, revealing that business travel constituted 13% of passengers, a figure consistent with the previous year. Leisure travel accounted for the majority at 87%, also remaining unchanged. Demographic insights indicated that business travelers typically fell within the 35-54 age bracket, while leisure travelers represented a broader spectrum of younger and older individuals.

Tim Johnson, who serves as the Interim Executive Director for Consumers, Markets, and Communications at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, commented on the survey's value, highlighting its role in offering crucial insights into the preferences of passengers utilizing the nation's busiest air hubs. He expressed encouragement regarding the sustained high level of passenger satisfaction with airports, particularly in the context of ongoing expansion within the aviation sector.

Johnson underscored the importance of ensuring that all components of the travel experience, from the initial departure point to the final destination and return, are dependable, accessible, and efficient. This emphasis comes as methods of passenger transport to airports continue to evolve. The findings from this annual report on air passenger satisfaction and transport choices are significant for understanding consumer trends within the UK aviation sector, offering valuable data for strategic planning and public relations efforts for industry stakeholders.

This article provides statistical insights into UK air passenger satisfaction and transport choices, which may inform strategic planning for aviation sector clients regarding consumer trends and public relations, but it does not present immediate legal or compliance actions or new regulatory requirements.

Source: Original reporting via Civil Aviation Authority news release.