Demand for in-flight Wi-Fi grows in EMEA region
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A new study by aero communications specialist Gogo Inc. has found that passenger demand for inflight connectivity is significantly higher in Europe and the Middle East than other regions worldwide.
This finding comes despite the fact there are fewer connected aircraft operating in these regions compared to within the US.
Gogo’s global study reveals that 80 percent of air travellers in Europe and the Middle East are interested in using inflight Wi-Fi, compared to just 74 percent of US air travellers. When it comes to wireless in-flight entertainment, 67 percent of air travellers in the Europe and Middle Eastern regions show a strong interest vs. 59 percent in the US.
According to the survey, air travellers within Europe and the Middle East are more likely to carry their own Wi-Fi enabled devices on a plane and, in most countries within the region, are more willing to pay for all in-flight services when compared to travellers in the US.
Other highlights from the survey include: air travellers in Europe and the Middle East are much more interested in mobile voice capabilities than US air travellers; 38 percent of air travellers in Europe and the Middle East are able to expense in-flight services, representing the highest region globally; and one in three passengers say they typically use at least two electronic devices on a plane.
“There is a large discrepancy between the US and Europe and the Middle East in terms of the number of planes connected. In the US, it’s becoming rare to fly without Wi-Fi. Outside the US it’s very rare to board an aircraft that has Wi-Fi,” said Ash ElDifrawi, Gogo’s chief commercial officer. “Our global research shows that, despite a dearth of connected aircraft, the appetite for these services create a significant opportunity for the airlines in these markets.”
The importance of Wi-Fi in choosing an airline continues to grow for passengers around the world. Today, more than 20 percent of passengers say they are looking for Wi-Fi when choosing an airline, which is up from 16 percent in a Gogo study conducted last year.
The data was compiled from Gogo’s global traveller research study and represents participants across seven countries and two regions. All participants had taken a round-trip flight in the past twelve months.
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