New research from Roy Morgan shows that the domestic airline travel industry in Australia is growing strongly, up by 7% from a year ago to over 8.46 million domestic air travellers in the year to March 2019.
Growth was recorded in customer patronage across all six of Australia’s leading domestic airlines, with competition fierce between the three leaders Qantas, Virgin Australia and discount operator Jetstar.
Qantas leads the way with over 4.3 million domestic customers in the last year, up 3.9% on a year ago, ahead of Jetstar which has enjoyed growth of 13.3% and now has more than 4 million and Virgin Australia with even stronger growth of 15.9% and has closed the gap on its two leading rivals with almost 3.8 million domestic customers.
Gen X are Australia’s leading domestic flyers – ahead of Millennials
Analysing Australia’s domestic airline customers by generation shows Gen X are Australia’s leading domestic air travellers, numbering some 2.31 million ahead of 2.04 million Millennials and 1.96 million Baby Boomers. Nearly half of Gen X, 47%, had travelled via a domestic airline in the last year.
As Australia’s leading domestic air travellers, Gen X comprise the largest share of customers for most of Australia’s leading airlines including Qantas (30%), Virgin Australia (28%), Jetstar (28%), QantasLink (35%) and REX/Regional Express (36%). The sole exception is Tigerair for whom 37% of their customers are Millennials – a higher reliance on any one generation than any other airline.
Commenting on the survey, Roy Morgan chief executive Michele Levine said the strong growth in Australia’s domestic air travel industry “bodes well for leading holiday destinations around Australia looking to attract new tourists to support their local hotels, motels and resorts”.
“Australia’s domestic travel industry has enjoyed a bumper year with patronage of our domestic airlines growing strongly by 7.1% to 8.46 million, an increase of 560,000 on a year ago,” she said.
“All leading airlines have increased their domestic passenger numbers from a year ago and monthly customer satisfaction award-winner Qantas retains the lead with over 4.3 million domestic customers ahead of discount subsidiary Jetstar on 4 million and Virgin Australia on 3.8 million.
“Roy Morgan’s domestic airline traveller data shows that Gen X comprise 27% of the 8.46 million domestic airline travellers and 47% of Gen X have travelled on a domestic airline in the last year – the highest rate of any generation.
“However, although Gen X comprises the largest share of customers for most airlines Tigerair provides an exception with Millennials making up well over a third of the discount airline’s customers.”
Levine added that Roy Morgan is presenting a special ‘State of the Nation: Tourism’ in Melbourne and Sydney on the mornings of 18/19 June 2019. She invited anyone interested in attending to contact enquiries@roymorgan.com
Edited by Peter Needham
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