Types & Purposses of Airport Passengers
How many passengers arrive at the airports on average daily? Would you give me an estimate?
I want to share some data to help you with your predictions. What would you say if I told you that 15 million 218 thousand 165 passengers flew from Sabiha Gökçen Airport on domestic lines and 15 million 551 thousand 563 passengers on international lines in 2022? :)
So, do all these passengers have the same character, behavior, or experience with aviation? Of course not! In this article, I will be talking about the types of passengers using airports and their purposes for using the airports.
Then let’s move on to our article…
Airports are an extensive system that provides countless services for countless passengers, and these systems are sometimes called mega-cities. Every passenger coming to this mega city has a different physical appearance and character traits. It hosts innumerable passengers of varying gender, race, age, weight, education levels, and languages. In order to provide a better service to passengers with such different characteristics, airline companies segment these people and offer various services for the needs of each segment.
In the literature survey, “It is acknowledged that the level of excitement or anticipation that airport customer feels while in the airport environment will also depend on the purpose of their visit, the motivation for their travel arrangements or even the companions they are traveling with. ” (Bezerra & Gomes, 2015); to better understand the passenger behavior at the airport, a grouping has been made, as seen in the table below.
As seen in the Figure, passengers can be divided into three according to their travel purpose; the purpose of travel plays a significant role in the behavior of passengers. In the same way, the number of people traveling also shapes the interaction and movements of passengers within the airport. Finally, the travel frequency of the passenger is a factor that significantly affects their behavior. Based on this table, some passenger types and their characteristics are explained in detail in the following sections.
- First Time Travelers
Airports can be overwhelming for first-time passengers, who often rely on information from their surroundings or internet research. The unknown and unfamiliar can be unsettling, as creatures seek safety in familiarity. First-time airport travelers may exhibit stress and uncertainty-based behaviors, such as being anxious, fearing mistakes, and seeking guidance from more experienced travelers. These anxieties often stem from a lack of knowledge about airport procedures and a fear of negative experiences.
Being anxious is common for all passengers, but it’s particularly pronounced in first-time travelers due to factors like the unpredictability of procedures, unexpected crowds, and fear of making mistakes. These passengers may constantly worry about the possibility of doing something wrong and may be embarrassed in front of others. Long queues and delays, common at airports, are seen as obstacles by first-timers who are solely focused on catching their flights.
First-time travelers often try to connect with more experienced passengers or airport staff to feel secure and gain information about the process. They seek reassurance through contact with those who can guide them through the unfamiliar environment. It’s essential to note that airport experiences are unique to individuals, and not all passengers should be influenced by negative stories or online articles. Airports provide informative signs and staff to assist travelers and make their experience as smooth as possible.
In summary, first-time airport travelers may experience stress and uncertainty, exhibit anxious behaviors, and seek guidance from others. However, airports offer support and guidance to ensure a positive travel experience for all passengers.
Stay tuned for my articles on other passenger types and behaviors :)
