CAA passenger survey finds satisfaction high as public transport use rises

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published its 2025 passenger survey, which involved interviews with about 175,000 departing passengers at eight of England's busiest airports.

Passenger satisfaction rose to 8.39 out of 10, up from 8.36 a year earlier. The eight surveyed airports handled 225 million passengers in total, about 2% more than the previous year.

The survey found a shift toward public transport for airport access. Train, metro and bus use rose by one percentage point year on year to 38%, while private cars and taxis fell to 62%. London City Airport recorded the highest share of passengers arriving by public transport, at 66%, up one point from 2024. Stansted was second at 48%, also up one point.

Business travellers were most often aged between 35 and 54, according to the findings, while leisure travellers covered a wider spread of younger and older age groups.

The regulator said satisfaction has stayed high even as passenger numbers continue to grow rapidly.