Aviation Poll

A survey by Ipsos shows that about half the public believe airport capacity should remain at about the same levels as present and a further 19% say it should be reduced, even if this means the cost of flying increases. A similar proportion believe capacity should be increased (18%) even if this means building new runways.

Topline Results

• Results are based on sample of 2,015 respondents total aged 16+, interviewed face-to-face (although some are based on half of this sample as specified).
• Fieldwork was conducted between 20th -- 26th September 2007.
• Data is weighted to the known profile of the population.
• Where figures do not add up to 100, this is due to multiple coding or computer rounding.
• An asterisk (*) denotes any value of less then half of one per cent, but more than zero.
• Responses are based on a minimum of 1,000 interviews unless otherwise specified.

Q1 The Government subsidises some UK industries, for example through tax breaks or grants. Which two or three of these industries do you think currently receives the most amount of Government subsidy?

Q2 And which two or three do you think should receive the most amount of Government subsidy?

Q3 Most experts predict demand for air travel to grow and that aviation will have a greater impact on the environment over the next 10 to 15 years.

Do you think the Government should encourage airports to expand their capacity even if this means building new runways; reduce their capacity even if this means the cost of flying increases; or keep their capacity at about the same levels as present?

Q4 London's Heathrow airport has almost reached capacity. One solution the airport might consider is to cut the number of short haul flights where there are rail alternatives so that capacity can be used for longer haul flights. To which of these destinations, if any, do you think the number of flights should cut back?

Q5 How many times have you taken a flight in the last 12 months? Please count each journey to an end destination but not any changes of flights en route to that destination. A return flight would count as 2 flights.